CLEVELAND — The Browns are enjoying their best season in 26 years, and the national media is recognizing them for it.
The Associated Press on Friday named defensive end Myles Garrett and right tackle Jack Conklin to the first team of its prestigious All-Pro roster. In addition, guards Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller made the second team.
The honor was expected for Garrett, who despite missing two games with COVID-19 established himself as one of he NFL's best pass rushers. Previously a second-team All-Pro in 2018, the 25-year-old tallied 12 sacks and 10 tackles for loss this year, and becomes the first Cleveland defensive end to be a first-teamer since Lyle Alzado in 1980.
This is Conklin's second first-team selection, having previously gotten the nod as a rookie in 2016 with the Tennessee Titans. The 26-year-old came to the Browns as a free agent in the offseason and delivered stellar results, bringing stability to an offensive line that was one of the league's shakiest only a year ago.
Bitonio--the longest-tenured Cleveland player--makes the second team for the third straight year, while Teller earns the honor for the first time and likely could've been on the first team had he not missed five games with various injuries. They both helped Conklin anchor the O-line, but sadly, Bitonio will not participate in this Sunday's playoff game in Pittsburgh after testing positive for COVID-19.
The AP All-Pro team is selected by a group of 50 media members from across the country. Check out the full roster for 2020:
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Running Back — Derrick Henry, Tennessee
Tight End — Travis Kelce, Kansas City (unanimous)
Wide Receivers — Davante Adams, Green Bay; Stefon Diggs, Buffalo; Tyreek Hill, Kansas City
Left Tackle — David Bakhtiari, Green Bay
Right Tackle — Jack Conklin, Cleveland
Left Guard — Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis
Right Guard — Brandon Scherff, Washington
Center — Corey Linsley, Green Bay
DEFENSE
Edge Rushers — T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh; Myles Garrett, Cleveland
Interior Linemen — Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams (unanimous); DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis
Linebackers — Fred Warner, San Francisco; Bobby Wagner, Seattle; Darius Leonard, Indianapolis
Cornerbacks — Xavien Howard, Miami; Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
Safeties — Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City; Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh and Budda Baker, Arizona (tie)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker — Jason Sanders, Miami
Punter — Jake Bailey, New England
Kick Returner — Cordarrelle Patterson, Chicago
Punt Returner — Gunner Olszewski, New England
Special Teamer — George Odum, Indianapolis
Long Snapper — Morgan Cox, Baltimore
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Josh Allen, Buffalo, and Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (tie)
Running Back —Alvin Kamara, New Orleans
Tight End — Vacant
Wide Receivers — DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota; Calvin Ridley, Atlanta, DK Metcalf, Seattle, and Cole Beasley, Buffalo (tie)
Left Tackle — Garett Bolles, Denver
Right Tackle — Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans
Left Guard — Joel Bitonio, Cleveland
Right Guard — Wyatt Teller, Cleveland
Center — Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis, and Frank Ragnow, Detroit
DEFENSE
Edge Rushers — Khalil Mack, Chicago; Za’Darius Smith, Green Bay
Interior Linemen — Chris Jones, Kansas City; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh
Linebackers — Devin White, Tampa Bay; Demario Davis, New Orleans; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay, and Roquan Smith, Chicago (tie)
Cornerbacks — Jaire Alexander, Green Bay; Tre’Davious White, Buffalo
Safeties — Jamal Adams, Seattle; Jessie Bates III, Cincinnati
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker — Justin Tucker, Baltimore
Punter — Jack Fox, Detroit
Kick Returner — Andre Roberts, Buffalo
Punt Returner — Jakeem Grant, Miami
Special Teamer — Matthew Slater, New England
Long Snapper — Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis