The April edition of crazy predictions featured one per division. The May edition of crazy predictions featured one per team.
The June edition of crazy predictions featured award predictions.
The July edition of crazy predictions featured stat leader predictions.
This edition will feature AP First Team All-Pro predictions.
Quarterback: Russell Wilson
Wilson has made five Pro Bowls in seven seasons. With 2018 as his best season, there is a reason to believe that Wilson will continue to play at a high level. If the Seahawks make the playoffs with a depleted offense and depleted defense, Wilson may be rewarded with an MVP and All-Pro selection.
Running back: Saquon Barkley
Barkley made the Pro Football Focus and Sporting News First Team All-Pro rosters in 2018, but he should be clear to be unanimous First Team All-Pro in 2019 with Todd Gurley potentially missing snaps due to injury and the arrival of Darrell Henderson. Barkley led the NFL in yards from scrimmage in 2018, and he hauled in 91 passes. There is a reason to believe that he improves in 2019 and becomes the undoubted best running back in the NFL.
Wide receiver: Julio Jones
Jones is no stranger to this accolade. He was named to the AP First Team All-Pro roster in both 2015 and 2016, and his name has been a fixture on other lists since 2014. Jones has led the NFL in receiving twice (2015 and 2018) and has posted 100 yards per game averages in a ridiculous five seasons. If the Falcons return to the level of Super Bowl contender, expect Jones to add a third All-Pro team to his resume.
Wide receiver #2: DeAndre Hopkins
Another two-time All-Pro, Hopkins is generally regarded as either the best receiver in football or second to Julio Jones. In a 2018 All-Pro campaign, Hopkins posted 115 catches, zero drops, 1,572 yards, and 11 touchdowns. If he matches that in 2019, he will be a shoo-in for an All-Pro spot.
Tight end: George Kittle
Kittle might regress in 2019. However, it is far more likely that he builds on his 88-catch, 1,377-yard season from 2018. Kittle is likely to score more touchdowns as a result of a better offense with the returns of Jimmy Garoppolo, Jerick McKinnon, and the arrival of Tevin Coleman. Kittle may not replicate an absurd 15.6 yards per reception mark, but he should establish himself as the premier tight end in a league with a tremendous talent pool at tight end.
Offensive tackle: Tyron Smith
Smith has made six consecutive Pro Bowls, and he added a First Team All-Pro selection in both 2014 and 2016. If Smith can be healthy throughout the 2019 season, he should once again establish himself as the best left tackle in the NFL. Smith’s stiffest competition with come from David Bakhtiari, but Smith should be able to fend off the Packer.
Offensive tackle #2: Ryan Ramcyzk
One of the most underappreciated players in the NFL, Ramcyzk has been elite in his 31 games of protecting Drew Brees. He was noted as a Second Team All-Pro by both the Associated Press and Pro Football Focus, and his natural progression is to be a First Teamer in 2019. Ramcyzk anchors a solid Saints offensive line, and he should be in line to be named the NFL’s best right tackle if the Saints enjoy another quality season.
Offensive guard: Quenton Nelson
Nelson improved the Colts’ offensive line immeasurably. In a matter of weeks, the Colts went from one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL to a top-five unit led by the First Team All-Pro Nelson. The offense will regress without Andrew Luck at the helm, but Nelson and company should lead one of the best lines in the NFL in 2019.
Offensive guard #2: Zack Martin
In five seasons in the NFL, Martin has been named a Pro Bowler five times, and he has added three First Team All-Pro appearances to his accolades. In the two seasons, he was not named to the AP’s First team, he was quickly slotted in on the second team. Martin is a tremendous asset for arguably the best offensive line in the NFL. If Martin plays 16 games, he will almost certainly grace the All-Pro roster again.
Center: Travis Frederick
Frederick had played all 80 available games before missing the entirety of the 2018 season with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Frederick is poised to return Week 1, and with him, the Cowboys will be as good as any line in the NFL. With four Pro Bowls and a 2017 All-Pro selection under his belt, Frederick is as good as it gets at the center position.
Perhaps none of these predictions will come true. This is truly an exercise in spewing hot takes. Please check back come January and February to add these to the worst predictions in the history of sports.
