Associated Press to review All-Pro team format
Each January, the best player at each position is determined by the Associated Press and released as the All-Pro team, but the AP is considering changes to the roster format to adapt to modernized football, reports Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The roster format currently stands as such:
| Offense | Defense | Special teams |
|---|---|---|
| 1 quarterback | 2 defensive ends | 1 kicker |
| 2 running backs | 2 defensive tackles | 1 punter |
| 1 fullback | 2 outside linebackers | 1 kick returner |
| 2 receivers | 2 inside linebackers | |
| 1 tight end | 2 cornerbacks | |
| 1 center | 2 safeties | |
| 2 guards | ||
| 2 tackles |
Additions of a slot receiver, nickel cornerback, edge rusher, and/or special teams player wouldn't come as a surprise, nor would the elimination of the fullback position.
A likely change will be amending the rules so a player can't be voted in twice after Oakland Raiders all-purpose defender Khalil Mack was elected as both defensive end and outside linebacker in 2015.
The format hasn't seen many changes since it's inception in 1940, but football itself has changed by leaps and bounds in that time. These potential changes could range from one simple adjustment to revolutionizing the entire process.