CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns may not have been able to find the success they were hoping for in 2021 as a team, but three players have ended the season with individual accomplishments to celebrate after the Associated Press announced its 2021 NFL All-Pro selections.
Selected by a panel of 50 media members, left guard Joel Bitonio and defensive end Myles Garrett were named to the All-Pro First Team.
This season, Bitonio and Garrett both shined on their respective lines.
Bitonio helped the Browns create a strong run game, creating lanes for running backs Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and D'Ernest Johnson. The Browns signed the three-time Pro Bowler to a 3-year extension and he proved why, marking his fifth straight season without missing a snap and showing his versatility by filling in at left tackle when the roster was dwindled by injury and COVID-19.
Garrett had another dominant season, making his third Pro Bowl and breaking the Browns' single-season sack record, finishing the season with 16. Garrett earned the AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 3 after posting 4.5 sacks, a Browns single-game record.
Bitonio earned 28 of the 50 votes at the position while Garrett earned 29 votes.
In addition to Bitonio and Garrett's selection, right guard Wyatt Teller also received All-Pro honors, being named to the Second Team.
Teller, like Bitonio, signed a contract extension with the Browns this season and didn't miss a snap. His pancake blocking and dominance along the o-line made the Browns run game thrive.
Here is the list of All-Pro selections for the 2021 season:
Offense
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
Defense
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
Special Teams
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
Offense
Quarterback — Tom Brady, Tampa Bay
Running Back — Vacant (Jonathan Taylor had unanimous votes)
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
Defense
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)
Special Teams
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
Camryn Justice is a digital content producer at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on Twitter @camijustice.
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