Welcome to the unofficial halfway point of the 2019 season. Eight weeks have flown by, and lots of players have been standouts. Here is a look at my All-Splash team, a riff on the All-Pro team.
On offense, I will use 11 personnel (two running backs, one tight end).
An asterisk denotes their inclusion in my All-Pro team prediction article
Quarterback: Russell Wilson*
Stats: 68.4% completion, 2,127 yards, 20 total touchdowns, one interception
Wilson has been nearly untouchable this season for the Seahawks. Wilson has delivered perfect throw after perfect throw in leading the Seahawks to a 6-2 record to the halfway point of the season. Without a superstar wideout to help shoulder the load, Wilson has had to rely on the likes of Tyler Lockett and rookie D.K. Metcalf to move the ball down the field. Wilson has been, without a doubt, the best quarterback in football this season.
Running back: Christian McCaffrey
Stats: 735 rushing yards, 5.2 yards per carry, 10 total touchdowns, 39 receptions, 343 receiving yards
While some may complain about the gargantuan workload that Christian McCaffrey can utilize in Carolina, he has made the most of that gargantuan workload with his yardage totals and touchdown totals. McCaffrey has been the best back in football since Week 1 as he has had a variety of showcase performances and highlight-reel plays such as his 80-plus yard touchdown run and a flip into the end zone against the Jaguars. McCaffrey has been exceptional both as a runner and as a receiver, and he is deserving of a spot in the All-Splash roster.
Wide receiver: Michael Thomas
Stats: 73 catches, 875 yards, four touchdowns
Michael Thomas has been the best receiver in football. Even without Drew Brees tossing him the football, Thomas took the arrival of Teddy Bridgewater in stride as he continued to rattle off fantastic performance after fantastic performance. Thomas has been sublime throughout much of the season as he has consistently torched good cornerbacks. The two-time pro bowler should easily make his third consecutive trip as he currently leads the NFL in catches and yards.
Wide receiver: Chris Godwin
Stats: 47 catches, 705 yards, 6 touchdowns
While Michael Thomas was expected to be one of the best receivers in football, Chris Godwin has come out of relative obscurity to be the driving force on a terrible Bucs team. Through seven games, Godwin has four separate 100-yard games and a pair of 10-catch games. Godwin had his biggest game of the season with a 172-yard outburst against the Rams, helping the Buccaneers to a 55-40 upset of the reigning NFC champions. Godwin currently leads the NFL in receiving touchdowns.
Tight end: Darren Waller
Stats: 46 catches, 496 yards, 3 touchdowns
Despite not getting on the scoreboard until Week 7, Darren Waller has been dominant from the tight end position. As he has hauled in almost 80% of his targets, Waller has been bolstered by a pair of 120-yard performances and relative consistency outside of last week against the Texans. Waller has four separate games with seven or more catches and has been the best player on Oaklands surprisingly decent offense.
FLEX: Dalvin Cook
Stats: 823 rushing yards, 5.3 yards per carry, nine touchdowns, 29 catches, 293 receiving yards
The NFL’s leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, Dalvin Cook has been a dynamo in his third year in the NFL. Cook has registered five different games with at least 100 rushing yards with a maximum of 154 that he had against the Packers in Week 2. Cook has found the end zone in seven of eight games, including twice against the Falcons and the Lions. Out of the backfield, Cook has also been a valuable weapon as he has 29 catches and almost 300 yards to help out the Vikings offense. He currently leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage.
Left tackle: Ronnie Stanley
The former first-round pick has had a breakout campaign of sorts in his fourth year in the league. Stanley has been one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL as he has helped the Ravens to an electric offense that is currently second in the NFL in both yards and points. The 6-foot-6 tackle out of Notre Dame has been the second-best tackle in the league.
Left guard: Quenton Nelson*
The 2018 Pro Bowler and All-Pro left guard has been every bit as good as he was as a rookie. Nelson has yet to miss a snap this season, and he has been the catalyst for a strong Colts offensive line. The Colts have been exceptional in the run and with the pass as Jacoby Brissett and Marlon Mack have enjoyed tremendous amounts of success behind the line.
Center: Frank Ragnow
A second-year center, Ragnow has been fantastic for the Lions this season. While the Lions have had a fairly pedestrian offense, Ragnow has been among the best linemen in the NFL. Accompanied by four unspectacular teammates, Ragnow has shined brightly as a centerpiece to the Lions offensive line of the future. While the yardage numbers do not bear out Ragnow’s importance, he has been the best center in the NFL this season.
Right guard: Zack Martin*
In a selection that surprises no one, the five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro Martin has been selected here. Martin has been phenomenal for the Cowboys this season as he has supported an offensive line that has undergone some transition in recent years. The Cowboys possess a top-five rushing offense and have accumulated the most yards in the NFL. Martin has played a major role in maintaining the elite nature of the Cowboys offense.
Right tackle: Ryan Ramcyzk*
Ramczyk has simply been the best offensive lineman in the NFL. After a showstopping performance in Week 1 against J.J. Watt, Ramczyk has continued to improve throughout the season. Despite the carousel at quarterback for the Saints, Ramczyk has held solid and his protection of both Drew Brees and Teddy Bridgewater. In the running game, Ramczyk has been sublime as well. The Saints have a top 15 offense despite losing Drew Brees for six weeks and have posted a pair of 500-yard performances with Brees at the helm. Ramczyk should be acknowledged as an All-Pro right tackle later this season, a start to a truly great career.
