Linebackers
Jones makes this team for a second straight season after leading the league in both sacks and tackles for loss. This is Jones’ third straight season with double-digit sacks.
This season Jones also forced two fumbles and deflected three passes for a Cardinals team that failed to make the post season for a second consecutive year.
The former Orangeman was named to his second Pro Bowl and the AP All-Pro team.
Kuechley joins Peppers as one of the two Carolina Panthers to make this team, both on defense.
This is Kuechley’s second straight season on this squad after making the team last year despite an injury-shortened season.
Kuechley was the heart and soul of the Panthers as he finished 10th in the league in tackles.
He also had five deflected passes, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble. Kuechley had four tackles in his team’s playoff loss to the Saints.
Kuechley was named to both the AP and PFF All-Pro squads as well as the Pro Bowl for a fifth straight season, though he was unable to participate due to injury.
Brown keeps this second inside linebacker spot in the Bills family after former Tar Heel Zach Brown occupied it last season for the Bills. Brown finished tied for the league lead in tackles with 144 as he helped lead the Bills to the playoffs.
In the Bills loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brown had six tackles as the defense did its part in the 10-3 loss.
Honorable mention to Zach Brown who did finish ninth in the league in tackles.
Smith is the second Jaguar and second Seminole to make this squad. Smith had a big year playing for the NFL best Jaguar defense.
He finished the season with 102 tackles, five deflected passes, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a touchdown.
Smith was even better in the playoffs where he led everybody with 35 tackles, 16 more than the next closest player, including 16 in the team’s upset win over Pittsburgh. In the team’s final game against New England, he had eight tackles and two deflected passes.
The linebacker made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career and led all defenders with eight tackles.