The 2021 Patriots improved by three wins and made it back to the playoffs. But despite their numerous roster improvements, they actually took a step back in terms of First Team All-Pro selections.
Granted, the Pats’ First Team All-Pros in 2020 were punter Jake Bailey and punt returner Gunner Olszewski. But after a down year overall for the Patriots’ punting units, neither of them garnered All-Pro votes in 2021. Two Patriots, however, earned enough votes to be named to the second team.
Cornerback J.C. Jackson received the third-most All-Pro votes (25) from the Associated Press at cornerback, based on the official results. Jackson is a second team selection at his position, along with the Falcons’ A.J. Terrell (8 votes). The first-teamers at corner are the Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs (33 votes) and the Rams’ Jalen Ramsey (32 votes).
For Jackson, it’s his first career AP All-Pro selection on either team. The 26-year-old followed up a nine-interception 2020 season with eight more picks, and also led the NFL with 23 total passes defended while starting in all 17 games.
Jackson is set to earn a lot of money in the 2022 offseason. He’s on track to become an unrestricted free agent, and would be one of the most expensive at any position. The Patriots could also decide to franchise tag him, likely for north of $15 million.
Still Special
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 18: Team Owner of the New England PatriotsRobert Kraft talks with Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Special teams captain Matthew Slater is the Patriots’ other second team All-Pro in 2021. The Saints’ J.T. Gray received the most votes at “special teamer” with 18. Slater finished second with 10.
Sneaky-good stat for the Patriots’ special teams units: they allowed the second-fewest punt returns with 16, behind only the Rams’ nine, and just ahead of the Bills and Chiefs. The punt blocking wasn’t as sharp as Patriots fans are used to seeing, but when they get punts off, they’re still one of the best coverage teams in the league. Slater is a massive part of that.
Who Else Got Votes?
Oct 31, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Matt Judon (9) and safety Adrian Phillips (21) celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Chargers 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Six other Patriots received at least one All-Pro vote for 2021. Here’s the full list, in order of vote total:
CB J.C. Jackson: 25
ST Matthew Slater: 10
LB Matthew Judon: 3
LS Joe Cardona: 3
S Adrian Phillips: 2
G Shaq Mason: 1
K Nick Folk: 1Judon’s vote count likely would’ve been higher if he kept pace with the first half of the season, but his production took a nosedive in the second half. Judon posted nine sacks and 16 QB hits in his first nine games, but only 3.5 sacks and nine QB hits in his last eight. He had zero sacks or hits over the Pats’ final four games.
Phillips and Mason got recognized for quietly having excellent seasons in their own right. Folk, meanwhile, grabbed a vote after converting field goals at the second-best rate of his career (92.3 percent).
Full All-Pro Rosters
FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 04: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Here are the full AP All-Pro rosters, pulled directly from the AP website.
First Team
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
Running Back: Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis
Tight End: Mark Andrews, Baltimore
Wide Receivers: Davante Adams, Green Bay; Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams; Deebo Samuel, San Francisco
Left Tackle: Trent Williams, San Francisco
Right Tackle: Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay
Left Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland
Right Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas
Center: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia
Edge Rushers: T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh; Myles Garrett, Cleveland
Interior Linemen: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh
Linebackers: Darius Leonard, Indianapolis; Micah Parsons, Dallas; De’Vondre Campbell, Green Bay
Cornerbacks: Trevon Diggs, Dallas; Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
Safeties: Kevin Byard, Tennessee; Jordan Poyer, Buffalo
Placekicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore
Punter: A.J. Cole, Las Vegas
Kick Returner: Braxton Berrios, New York Jets
Punt Returner: Devin Duvernay, Baltimore
Special Teamer: J. T. Gray, New Orleans
Long Snapper: Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis
Second Team
Quarterback: Tom Brady, Tampa Bay
Running Back: VACANT (Taylor: unanimous selection)
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Wide Receivers: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota
Left Tackle: Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers
Right Tackle: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia
Left Guard: Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis
Right Guard: Wyatt Teller, Cleveland
Center: Corey Linsley, Los Angeles Chargers
Edge Rushers: Robert Quinn, Chicago; Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas
Interior Linemen: Chris Jones, Kansas City; Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee
Linebackers: Demario Davis, New Orleans; Roquan Smith, Chicago; Bobby Wagner, Seattle
Cornerbacks: J.C. Jackson, New England; A.J. Terrell, Atlanta
Safeties: Justin Simmons, Denver, Micah Hyde, Buffalo and Budda Baker, Arizona (tie)
Placekicker: Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas
Punter: Bryan Anger, Dallas
Kick Returner: Andre Roberts, Los Angeles Chargers
Punt Returner: Jakeem Grant, Chicago
Special Teamer: Matthew Slater, New England, and Ashton Dulin, Indianapolis.
Long Snapper: Josh Harris, Atlanta
