Overview of the 2025 AP All-Pro Team
The 2025 Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team features a trio of unanimous selections who stood out across the season, led by fearless performances from Myles Garrett on defense and game-changing impact from Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on offense. The balloting, which gathers votes from a national panel of media members, underscores the consensus around players who defined excellence in the league this year.
Unanimous Choices: Garrett, Nacua and Smith-Njigba
Myles Garrett, the perennial defensive force for the Cleveland Browns, earned unanimous selection after another dominant season rushing the passer and anchoring the defense’s edge. Garrett’s disruptive play at the line of scrimmage repeatedly altered games, drawing double teams and creating opportunities for teammates on the back end.
Puka Nacua, the breakout wide receiver, earned unanimous status thanks to his reliability, route-running precision, and big-play ability. Nacua’s connection with his quarterbacks and his ability to stretch defenses helped elevate the passing attack and provided a critical consistency for his team in high-leverage moments.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the versatile playmaker, joined the list of unanimous selections with impressive route running, reliable hands, and the ability to take screens, short and intermediate routes, and deep shots for touchdowns. Smith-Njigba’s emergence as a go-to target across routes and formations solidified his place among the elite at his position.
Other Notable Selections
In the backfield, Bijan Robinson is recognized as the standout running back of the season. Robinson’s blend of vision, burst, and contact balance allowed him to produce at a high level, both on early-down workload and in the passing game. His presence helped define a dynamic rushing attack that could threaten defenses from multiple angles.
Christian McCaffrey earned the All-Purpose designation, presenting a unique threat as a runner and receiver. McCaffrey’s versatility as a dual-threat weapon continued to influence opposing game plans and showcased his ability to impact every phase of the offense.
Quarterbacks and Defensive Standouts
The 2025 AP All-Pro quarterback landscape highlighted a year where several passers performed at a high level, with Matthew Stafford topping the list as a unanimous or near-unanimous choice in some votes, reflecting his late-career efficiency and leadership that guided his team to success. The field of candidates included rising talents like Drake Maye, who delivered impressive campaigns and challenged the established order, signaling a strong future for the position.
Defensive players and specialists who earned All-Pro honors this year included a mix of edge rushers, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties who combined to create one of the league’s most competitive and talented rosters in recent memory. The AP voters emphasized durability, consistency, and game-impacting plays when selecting these players.
What This All-Pro Team Means for 2025
Being named to the AP All-Pro Team represents the pinnacle of peer-validated performance for players across the league. The 2025 selections reinforce a trend toward versatile play at key positions, emphasizing multi-faceted players who can contribute in multiple phases of the game. For fans and analysts, the team offers a snapshot of who defined excellence and who might be positioned to influence the league in the seasons ahead.
Looking Ahead
As teams regroup and plan for the next season, the performances behind these unanimous and near-unanimous selections will serve as benchmarks for greatness. The success of players like Garrett, Nacua, and Smith-Njigba will likely influence how teams evaluate talent, develop schemes, and invest in players who can impact games consistently week after week.
