The Best
Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals
While the 2002 Heisman Trophy winner did not reach his Super Bowl goals, he still enjoyed a career season at the age of 36. Palmer set Arizona’s franchise record by tossing 35 touchdown passes to go along with 4,671 yards passing. The Cardinals went 13-3, losing the NFC Championship Game to Carolina, and Palmer was one of three players to earn a first place vote for NFL MVP.
Pro Bowlers
Clay Matthews, LB, Packers – 49 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks (5th Pro Bowl in 6 seasons)
Tyron Smith, LT, Cowboys – Started 79 of 80 games in his career (3rd consecutive Pro Bowl)
Ryan Kalil, C, Panthers – 1st Team All-Pro led Carolina to the Super Bowl (5th career Pro Bowl)
Jurrell Casey, DT, Titants – 34 solo tackles and 7 sacks en route to 1st career Pro Bowl
Standouts
Malcolm Smith, LB, Raiders – 100 solo tackles, 4 sacks and 4 forced turnovers in 16 starts
Everson Griffen, DE, Vikings – 34 solo tackles and 10.5 sacks for a playoff team
Brian Cushing, LB, Texans – 63 solo tackles, 3 PDs and a forced fumble in 16 starts
Rey Maualuga, LB, Bengals – 43 solo tackles, 4 PDs and an INT in 15 games
Rookies
Leonard Williams, DE, Jets – Started 15 of 16 games and made 29 solo tackles and 3 sacks
Buck Allen, RB, Ravens – 137 carries for 514 yards plus 45 catches for 353 yards and 3 total TDs
Nelson Agholor, WR, Eagles – 23 catches for 283 yards and 1 TD
Hayes Pullard, LB, Jaguars – 19 tackles in 8 games plus a blocked punt
Josh Shaw, CB, Bengals – 15 tackles and a PD
J.R. Tavai, OLB, Titans – 2 solo tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 4 games
Best of the Rest
Frostee Rucker, DE, Cardinals – 20 solo tackles, 3 sacks, a forced fumble and a safety in 13 starts
T.J. McDonald, S, Rams – 38 solo tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in 11 starts
Jordan Cameron, TE, Dolphins – 35 catches for 386 yards and 3 TDs in 16 starts
Robert Woods, WR, Bills – 47 catches for 552 yards and 3 TDs in 14 games
Nickell Robey, CB, Bills – 38 solo tackles, 4 PDs and a sack in 16 games
Matt Cassel, QB, Cowboys – 1,276 yards passing and 5 TDs in 9 games
Rhett Ellison, TE, Vikings – 11 catches for 124 yards and a TD in 15 games (9 starts)
Marqise Lee, WR, Jaguars – 15 catches for 191 yards and a TD in 10 games
Devon Kennard, LB, Giants – 36 solo tackles, 4 PDs and an INT in 9 starts
Mark Sanchez, QB, Eagles – 616 yards passing and 4 TDs in 4 games (2 starts)
Matt Kalil, LT, Vikings – Started all 64 games in his NFL career
Marcus Martin, C, 49ers – Started 14 games this season
Shareece Wright, CB, Ravens – 34 solo tackles and 5 PDs in 11 games
Nick Perry, OLB, Packers – 16 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 14 games
Dion Bailey, S, Seahawks/Jets – 16 solo tackles, 2 PDs and 0.5 sacks in 7 games
Khaled Holmes, C, Colts – Career-high 7 starts
Mike Morgan, LB, Seahawks – 7 solo tackles and a sack in 14 games
Allen Bradford, LB, Falcons – 6 tackles in 6 games