What Is 2018 NFL All Pro Team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 NFL All-Pro Team, selected by the Associated Press, honors the league's top players for the 2018 season. It features standout performers like running back Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 1,312 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Key Facts

Saquon Barkley was named First-Team All-Pro as a running back in 2018
Patrick Mahomes was First-Team All-Pro as both quarterback and a special teamer
The Associated Press selects the NFL All-Pro Team annually
Aaron Donald earned First-Team All-Pro honors on the defensive line
Six players were selected to the First-Team All-Pro for the second consecutive year

Overview

The 2018 NFL All-Pro Team recognizes the most outstanding players from the 2018 National Football League season. Chosen by the Associated Press (AP), this prestigious list highlights elite performers across offense, defense, and special teams based on their season-long excellence.

Selection is considered more selective than the Pro Bowl, with only one player per position named to the First Team. Players are evaluated based on statistical performance, impact on games, and consistency throughout the season.

Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants was named First-Team All-Pro at running back after rushing for 1,312 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns as a rookie.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs earned First-Team honors at quarterback, throwing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns during the regular season.
Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams was selected at defensive tackle, recording 20.5 sacks—the most ever for an interior lineman in a single season.
George Kittle became the first 49ers tight end since 1993 to make First-Team All-Pro, catching 88 passes for 1,377 yards.
Janoris Jenkins of the Giants was named to the team as a First-Team All-Pro cornerback, intercepting 5 passes and allowing a passer rating of just 56.6 when targeted.

How It Works

The NFL All-Pro Team is determined through a national media panel selected by the Associated Press. Each year, voters select one player per position they believe performed at the highest level during the regular season.

Selection Panel: A rotating panel of 50 media members from across the U.S. votes, ensuring a broad and balanced evaluation of player performance.
Voting Process: Voters submit ballots listing their top choice at each position, with the player receiving the most votes named First-Team All-Pro.
Position Coverage: The team includes 22 total spots—11 on offense, 7 on defense, and 4 on special teams—reflecting standard NFL positional roles.
Second Team: The AP also names a Second-Team All-Pro, composed of the second-most-voted player at each position, starting in 2014.
Eligibility: Players must be active during the 2018 regular season and meet performance thresholds, though postseason results do not influence voting.
Announcement Timing: The 2018 team was officially announced on January 10, 2019, following the conclusion of the regular season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 First-Team All-Pro selections compare across key offensive and defensive positions:

Position	Player	Team	Key Stat (2018)
Quarterback	Patrick Mahomes	Kansas City Chiefs	50 touchdowns (NFL best)
Running Back	Saquon Barkley	New York Giants	1,312 rushing yards
Wide Receiver	Michael Thomas	New Orleans Saints	1,405 receiving yards
Tight End	George Kittle	San Francisco 49ers	1,377 receiving yards
Defensive Tackle	Aaron Donald	Los Angeles Rams	20.5 sacks

This table highlights the dominance of players like Mahomes and Donald, whose statistical achievements set them apart from peers. The 2018 team featured several record-setting performances, especially on offense, reflecting the league’s evolving, pass-heavy style of play. Multiple first-time honorees, such as Barkley and Kittle, signaled a shift in NFL talent distribution across teams.

Why It Matters

Being named to the All-Pro Team is one of the highest individual honors in professional football, often influencing legacy, contracts, and Hall of Fame considerations.

Contract Leverage: All-Pro recognition often leads to lucrative contract extensions, as teams reward elite performance with market-adjusted salaries.
Historical Legacy: Players with multiple All-Pro selections, like Aaron Donald, are strong Hall of Fame candidates due to sustained excellence.
Team Validation: The Rams had four players named First-Team All-Pro in 2018, underscoring their status as a top-tier franchise.
Positional Benchmark: The list sets a standard for performance, helping fans and analysts compare players across eras and teams.
Media Influence: The AP’s selection process is widely respected, making the All-Pro Team more credible than fan-voted alternatives like the Pro Bowl.
Rookie Impact: Saquon Barkley’s selection confirmed his status as a franchise-altering rookie, rare for a running back in the modern NFL.

The 2018 NFL All-Pro Team not only celebrated individual brilliance but also reflected broader trends in the league, including the rise of dynamic young talent and record-breaking offensive production.