NFL AP All-Pro 1st Team Released, Cam Jordan The Lone Saints Representative
Despite plenty of player recognition throughout the season, only one member of the New Orleans Saints was recognized as a first team AP All-Pro.
Defensive end Cam Jordan just wrapped up his 7th regular season, and it was his best.
The epitome of an All-Pro, Jordan played the pass and the run equally as well, has played the majority of defensive snaps, racked up 13 sacks, and served as captain on a defense that took major strides from recent seasons, helping propel the Saints to their 6th division title in franchise history.
50 ballots from media members nationwide determine the team each year.
It's the first time in his career he's an AP All-Pro, and Jordan is happy about it.
"I'm definitely trying to push myself to be better than I was the year previous," he said. "I think I had a really good year last year. Of course, sack numbers won't show that, but in terms of playing the run, in terms of getting after the passer I thought last year was one of my better years (7 1-2 sacks, 17 tackles for loss). So what I wanted to do this year is, of course, push myself to be better than last. That probably only poses the problem of where I go next year. Now I've got to shoot for more than what I did this year."
Jordan is the first first-team All-Pro from the Saints since Jimmy Graham in 2013.
The Saints did get one spot on the AP All-Pro second team, as rookie running back Alvin Kamara earned a spot at the RB Flex position.
Jordan was joined on the 1st team by the following players:
Offense
Quarterback Tom Brady - New England Patriots
Running back Todd Gurley - Los Angeles Rams
Running back Le'Veon Bell (flex) - Pittsburgh Steelers
Wide receiver Antonio Brown (only unanimous selection) - Pittsburgh Steelers
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins - Houston Texans
Tight End Rob Gronkowski - New England Patriots
Offensive Left Tackle Andrew Whitworth - Los Angeles Rams
Offensive Right Tackle Lane Johnson - Philadelphia Eagles
Right Guard David DeCastro - Pittsburgh Steelers
Left Guard Andrew Norwell - Carolina Panthers
Center Jason Kelce - Philadelphia Eagles
Defense
Defensive End Cam Jordan - New Orleans Saints
Defensive End Calais Campbell - Jacksonville Jaguars
Defensive Lineman Cam Heyward - Pittsburgh Steelers
Defensive Lineman Aaron Donald - Los Angeles Rams
Linebacker Chandler Jones - Arizona Cardinals
Linebacker Luke Kuechly - Carolina Panthers
Linebacker Bobby Wagner - Seattle Seahawks
Cornerback Xavier Rhodes - Minnesota Vikings
Cornerback Darius Slay - Detroit Lions
Safety Harrison Smith - Minnesota Vikings
Safety Kevin Byard - Tennessee Titans
Special Teams
Kicker Greg Zuerlein - Los Angeles Rams
Punter Johnny Hekker - Los Angeles Rams
Kick Returner Pharoh Cooper - Los Angeles Rams
Punt Returner Jamal Agnew - Los Angeles Rams
Special Teamer Budda Baker - Arizona Cardinals
