Jalen Carter, Saquon Barkley named to NFLPA all-pro team

Philadelphia: So, guess what? Jalen Carter and Saquon Barkley just got named to the NFLPA’s all-pro team! This was announced on Wednesday, and it’s pretty exciting news.

Now, there’s no official NFL all-star team, but the Associated Press has been doing their all-pro picks since way back in 1940. They’re kind of the gold standard. The AP will reveal their all-pro team during the NFL Honors on February 6.

But here’s the twist: the NFL Players Association started their own all-pro team in 2022, and that’s what we’re talking about today. It’s all voted on by the players, which is pretty cool.

Carter, who was the ninth pick in last year’s draft, had an incredible season. He racked up 4 ½ sacks and 16 quarterback hits, plus a bunch of tackles and forced fumbles. He was a key player on the top defense in the league, even if he had to deal with a lot of double teams.

Unlike the AP, which has a first and second team, the NFLPA just names a first team. The other interior lineman who made it was Chris Jones from the Chiefs, who’s a six-time Pro Bowler.

As for Barkley, he’s had a fantastic year too. This is his third Pro Bowl, and he’s been a standout with the Eagles. He rushed for a whopping 2,005 yards, which is the eighth-highest total in NFL history! And he didn’t even play in the last game against the Giants.

His rushing average of 5.8 yards is also impressive, ranking eighth all-time. He’s one of only three players to rush for over 1,500 yards with that average and at least 13 touchdowns. The other two? Jim Brown and Derrick Henry.

Last year, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, and Darius Slay were also on the NFLPA all-pro team, and Johnson and Kelce made it again this year. But Johnson lost out to Penei Sewell from the Lions for the right tackle spot.

So, it’s a big deal for both Carter and Barkley, and it’s great to see their hard work recognized!