NFLPA All-Pro team: Falcons have one player voted on, one snubbed

The NFL Players Association has decided to get in on all the fun when it comes to All-Pro teams. They released their own rendition of the All-Pro team where the players are the ones who vote for each other and one Atlanta Falcons player has been honored, while another one has been snubbed.

The NFLPA has their players vote for their own position groups and the position groups they go up against (e.g. wide receivers vote for wide receivers and cornerbacks). There were stipulations on who could vote and who you could vote for; you had to be an active NFL player and couldn’t vote for players who missed five or more games (as of week 15). Also, this isn’t separated into NFC and AFC like the Pro Bowl, it is the entire NFL.

Cordarrelle Patterson makes the NFLPA All-Pro team for the Atlanta Falcons

Finally, the Atlanta Falcons’ return man, Cordarrelle Patterson, was recognized for being the greatest kick returner in NFL history. His fellow NFL players voted him onto the NFLPA’s inaugural All-Pro team as the kick returner.

Cordarrelle Patterson was able to break the NFL’s record for most kick return touchdowns in a career earlier in the season against the Chicago Bears. He returned his ninth kickoff for a touchdown and it really was the turning point of the game, which the Falcons ended up winning. Despite that, he wasn’t even eligible to make the Pro Bowl at the position, but I’m sure this selection means more to him.

He is one of seven special teamers who made the cut. The others were Jason Myers (kicker – Seahawks), Tommy Townsend (Punter – Chiefs), KaVontae Turpin (punt returner – Cowboys), Jeremy Reaves (Core Teamer – Commanders), Justin Hardee (Core Teamer – Jets), and Morgan Cox (Long Snapper – Titans).

As we all love to point out, he is the only NFC South player on the team. But he should have also been joined by one of his teammates.

Chris Lindstrom was snubbed from the NFLPA All-Pro team for the Falcons

The Pro Bowl got it right (mostly, as he should be the starter) and Pro Football Focus got it right, but unfortunately, the NFL Players Association did not get it right as they left out the Atlanta Falcons right guard Chris Lindstrom.

Related: Falcons have just one player going to the 2023 Pro Bowl.

Related: Falcons have one player make Pro Football Focus’ All-Pro Team.

There is zero doubt Lindstrom has been the best at his position. He has been entirely dominant and has been the leader of a Falcons’ offensive line that went from one of the worst units in the league in 2021 to one of the best in 2022. They were also the best running team in the NFL.

But, again, he did not make this All-Pro team, instead, the Cowboys’ right guard Zach Martin did. The rest of the offensive line includes Trent Williams (LT – 49ers), Joel Botonio (LG – Browns), Jason Kelce (C – Eagles), and Lane Johnson (RT – Eagles).

Listen, Martin has been an incredible player for a long time but you cannot deny the fact that Lindstrom has been better this season. I will say it again, Lindstrom is the best interior lineman in the NFL! Oh well, there is always next year for them to right the wrong.