 Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
It is time to recognize the reigning MVP for carrying the Packers' offense despite missing the services of his three top receivers for parts of the season. |
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 Running Back
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Peterson was the best player in the NFL this season, rushing for more than 2,000 yards after a complete reconstruction of his left knee. |
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 Running Back
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
With 10 100-yard games and 11 touchdowns, few running backs rivaled Lynch's impact on what became a dangerous Seattle offense. |
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 Fullback
Jerome Felton, Minnesota Vikings
Felton is emerging as the NFL's best lead blocker. He played a major role in Peterson's remarkable run at the single-season rushing mark. |
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 Tight End
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
Witten quietly enjoyed a historic season for a tight end with a record 110 receptions in a 16-game campaign. |
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 Wide Receiver
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
Megatron established a new single-season receiving yards mark (1,964) and cemented his status as the top receiver in the game. |
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 Wide Receiver
Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
As the lone option in the Bears' passing game, Marshall recorded 118 receptions for 1,508 receiving yards and 11 scores. |
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 Tackle
Duane Brown, Houston Texans
Brown hasn't committed a holding penalty in four seasons while snuffing out the opponent's best pass rusher without help from tight ends or backs. |
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 Guard
Marshal Yanda, Baltimore Ravens
Yanda has been on the verge of stardom and should receive recognition for his dominance of opposing defensive tackles. |
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 Center
John Sullivan, Minnesota Vikings
Sullivan is the unsung hero of an impressive offensive line that overwhelmed opponents with its toughness and physicality. |
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 Guard
Mike Iupati, San Francisco 49ers
Iupati erases defenders at the line, paving the way for Frank Gore to blast through holes on Jim Harbaugh's favorite play, the "Power." |
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 Tackle
Anthony Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Davis is a road-grader built on strength and toughness. He mauls opponents in the run game and serves as a wall in pass protection. |
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 Kicker
Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings
The rookie nailed 10 straight field goals of 50 or more yards and connected on 92.1 percent of his 38 overall attempts. |
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 Kick Returner
Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Ravens
Jones is a "boom or bust" return man, but it is hard to find issue with a risky playmaker who recorded three return scores in a season. |
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 Defensive End
Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins
Wake recorded 15 sacks, enjoying a pair of blockbuster games (Arizona and San Francisco) that showcased his dominance as a pass rusher. |
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 Defensive End
J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
Watt is the most disruptive 3-4 end since Bruce Smith's glory years. He led the league in sacks (20.5) and had an astonishing 16 pass breakups. |
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 Defensive Tackle
Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots
Wilfork has evolved from playing as a classic nose tackle to thriving as a disruptive "shade" tackle positioned as a three-technique. |
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 Defensive Tackle
Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals
Defensive tackles aren't expected to function as primary pass rushers, but Atkins (12.5 sacks) is changing that perception. |
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 Outside Linebacker
Von Miller, Denver Broncos
Miller excels at creating negative plays (18.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and one interception) that change the momentum of games. |
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 Inside Linebacker
Daryl Washington, Arizona Cardinals
Part of Arizona's hot start can be attributed to Washington. He created chaos in the backfield and pummeled foes on blitzes. |
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 Inside Linebacker
NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
Bowman (149 tackles, seven pass breakups) has surpassed Patrick Willis as the most dominant player on the second level of the 49ers' defense. |
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 Inside Linebacker
Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
The rookie led the league in tackles (164), while also recording 10 pass breakups, a sack and three fumble recoveries. |
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 Outside Linebacker
Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Smith has developed into the NFL's premier pass rusher off the edge in only his second season. He had 19.5 sacks in 2012. |
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 Cornerback
Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
Sherman snagged eight interceptions and an NFL-best 32 pass breakups, while taunting opponents mercilessly with his pointed comments. |
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 Cornerback
Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears
Tillman is a turnover machine in the secondary, recording 13 takeaways (three interceptions and 10 forced fumbles) and scoring three times. |
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 Safety
Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers
Known for his teeth-rattling hits, Goldson has created an aura of fear in the middle of the 49ers' defense. |
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 Safety
Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
Thomas is the most instinctive playmaker at safety, excelling at taking away the deep ball and also displaying toughness against the run. |
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 Punter
Thomas Morstead, New Orleans Saints
There is nothing like hearing the sound of the ball coming off Morstead's foot in the Superdome. He has exceptional height and distance on kicks. |
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