Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt voted 1st-team All-Pro
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense was one of the best in the NFL this season.
On Friday, the league’s highest individual accolades suggested as much.
Three Steelers were named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press: Edge rusher T.J. Watt, interior lineman Cameron Heyward and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Steelers were the only team to have three first-team selections on defense. The Baltimore Ravens had five first-team All-Pros, and the New Orleans Saints had four, but that included a first-team specialist for both.
Steelers rookie punt returner Diontae Johnson was named to the second team. Also, in a quirk of the voting process, Watt was named second-team All-Pro at linebacker.
The Associated Press 2019 NFL All-Pro team selected by a national panel of 50 media members.https://t.co/VGAUF4LwOx
— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) January 3, 2020
The voting was conducted by the AP in a poll of 50 media members. Steelers players who also received votes were David DeCastro (fourth-most at right guard), Maurkice Pouncey (fourth-most at center), Terrell Edmunds (tied for ninth-most at safety) and Tyler Matakevich (tied for fifth-most as a special teamer).
Edmunds and Matakevich received one vote each.
Watt, Heyward and Fitzpatrick each finished second at their positions, behind Arizona’s Chandler Jones, the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald and the New York Jets’ Jamal Adams, respectively.
For Donald, a Pitt and Penn Hills alumnus, it was his fifth consecutive first-team All-Pro honor.
The Carolina Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey highlighted the team by being voted the first-team running back and the top flex player. The flex position was created in 2016 to reward players who epitomize the way offense is now played in pro football.
McCaffrey’s achievement was complemented by the unanimous selections of New Orleans receiver Michael Thomas and New England cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Ravens sensation Lamar Jackson, who in his second season led Baltimore to a league-best 14-2 mark, was chosen as quarterback. Jackson and McCaffrey were among 14 first-time All-Pros.
Other multiple-time All-Pros included Seattle Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner for a fifth time and Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin and Ravens kicker Justin Tucker for a fourth time.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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