5 biggest snubs from 2023 NFL All-Pro First Team feat. Micah Parsons
The 2023 NFL All-Pro team was officially announced on Thursday following the conclusion of the regular season. The Associated Press votes on this incredible honor each year to recognize the best NFL players from each position for the entirety of a season.
They name an assigned number of players for each position to first-team and second-team honors.
Every year that the list comes out, there are always certain players that seem as though they were snubbed. The 2023 NFL All-Pro first team is no different.
While most of the players who earned the honors may be deserving, the following five names certainly have a case for feeling snubbed this year.
5 biggest 2023 NFL All-Pro First Team snubs
#1 - L'Jarius Sneed
L'Jarius Sneed has been given the difficult task of matching up in-man coverage against the best wide receiver on all of the Kansas City Chiefs' opponents this year.
Despite this massive challenge, Sneed excelled in shutting down almost all of them. In fact, he was targeted by opposing quarterbacks 90 times this season and didn't allow a single touchdown. He is a big reason why the Chiefs have been one of the best defenses in the NFL this year.
#2 - Micah Parsons
While TJ Watt and Myles Garrett also had incredible seasons, a strong case can be made that Micah Parsons deserves to be named the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.
He leads the entire NFL with 99 quarterback pressures, despite being double-teamed more than 20 percent of the time. The Dallas Cowboys superstar was named to the 2023 NFL All-Pro Second Team, but he is still likely disappointed with this outcome.
#3 - Sam LaPorta
While George Kittle led all tight ends this season in receiving yards, Sam LaPorta was arguably more productive overall during his breakout rookie year with the Detroit Lions.
LaPorta recorded 30 more targets, 21 more receptions, and four more touchdowns than Kittle. He also did so in three fewer starts, so he was much more efficient as well.
#4 - Bobby Wagner
Bobby Wagner has consistently been one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL and the 2023 season was much of the same. He led all players this year with 183 total tackles and was one of only eight players to exceed 150 total tackles.
Of those eight players, Wagner also recorded the most tackles for a loss as well as the most sacks. He seems to deserve another NFL All-Pro First-Team selection, but he had to settle for second-team honors.
#5 - Jessie Bates
Jessie Bates was outstanding in his first year with the Atlanta Falcons and absolutely filled up the stat sheet. He ranked third in the NFL this year with six interceptions, while also ranking among the top 25 players in total tackles and pass break-ups.
He was named to the second team, but his monstrous season deserved an NFL All-Pro First Team selection.