With the first quarter of the season in the books, theScore's NFL editors examine which players are deserving of first-team All-Pro status thus far.
Quarterback
Matt Ryan, Falcons
The Falcons have been here before, starting hot last season before fizzling out. But this looks like a completely different Matt Ryan. The veteran quarterback is playing the best football of his career and easily stands above his position through four games.
Running back
David Johnson, Cardinals
The NFL's most complete back leads the league in yards from scrimmage, averaging more than 50 receiving and 75 on the ground. Johnson has also provided several of the most jaw-dropping runs this season, including a romp in the season opener, breaking through a half-dozen would-be Patriots tacklers.
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
The fourth overall pick has been exactly as advertised, and the Cowboys are making full use of their new toy. At the quarter mark, Elliott has turned an NFL-leading 94 carries into more than 100 yards rushing per game, helping boost the Cowboys to a surprising 3-1 record despite a defense bereft of talent and injuries to Tony Romo and Dez Bryant.
Wide receiver
Marvin Jones, Lions
Through four games, Jones' 482 receiving yards are already halfway to his career-best mark of 816, set last season. He has surprisingly assumed the No. 1 receiver role in Detroit over Golden Tate, and his 21 yards per catch trails only one player in the NFL.
Julio Jones, Falcons
And that player is Julio Jones, who is averaging an otherworldly 22.2 yards per catch. After a relatively quiet start to his season, Jones put up a historic 300 receiving yards in Week 4 to leapfrog A.J. Green on this All-Pro team.
Tight end
Jimmy Graham, Seahawks
He's back. Graham got off to a slow start, catching only one pass in Week 1, but posted back-to-back six-catch, 100-yard games in Weeks 3 and 4, looking like his old, unstoppable self. Greg Olsen has been more consistent and Jordan Reed has scored more touchdowns, but Graham's highs have been higher than his peers, and that's why he deserves this honor.
Offensive tackle
Andrew Whitworth, Bengals
Whitworth has never gotten the recognition he’s deserved. The Bengals standout is once again a steady force on Andy Dalton’s blindside, allowing zero sacks to date while taking just one penalty.
Lane Johnson, Eagles
Johnson may soon serve a 10-game suspension, so this spot could feature a new name before long. But it would be unfair not to recognize his continued dominance - he’d be a massive loss for a surprisingly strong Eagles offense.
Center
Alex Mack, Falcons
Mack has been money well spent for the shockingly good Falcons. The $47.5-million man has stabilized one of the NFL's shakiest offensive lines, giving Matt Ryan the time he needs to re-emerge as a high-end passer, while helping Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman shred opposing defenses.
Guard
Marshal Yanda, Ravens
Yanda remains the gold standard at his position, excelling in both pass and run blocking for an upstart Ravens team. The five-time Pro Bowler facilitates the offense, and is arguably the most important reason why his team is sitting at 3-1.
Zack Martin, Cowboys
Martin has eased Ezekiel Elliott's transition to the professional game, creating numerous gaping holes at the line of scrimmage and second level. In his third season, it's not hard to conceive of Martin preparing his Canton speech.
Defensive end
Carlos Dunlap, Bengals
The long, athletic pass-rusher led the Bengals' defense in Vontaze Burfict's absence and doesn't look to be giving up that role as he wrecks havoc on opposing tackles and quarterbacks.
Michael Bennett, Seahawks
Whether against the run or the pass, few defenders have been as effective and durable as Bennett.
Defensive tackle
Aaron Donald, Rams
As only defensive lineman with a 90-or-above grade, per Pro Football Focus (95.3 to be exact), Donald has been an absolute menace for guards and centers this year, leading the league in defensive hurries.
Fletcher Cox, Eagles
Behind Carson Wentz, the biggest reasons for Philadelphia's undefeated record are Cox and stellar defensive-line play.
Linebacker
Von Miller, Broncos
Just because something is obvious, doesn't mean it's not right. After a dominant playoff run in 2015, it would be easy for Miller to coast into the All-Pro team, but the Broncos linebacker has somehow managed to up his game, leading the NFL with 5.5 sacks.
Luke Kuechly, Panthers
Like Miller, Kuechly is so consistently dominant that it would be easy to look elsewhere for a different All-Pro selection. But while the Panthers' defense has regressed this season, it's no fault of Kuechly.
Jamie Collins, Patriots
The only inside linebacker who comes close to Kuechly's all-around impact is Jamie Collins, who has cemented himself as by far the Patriots' best defender. One of the driving forces of a 3-1 start without Tom Brady, Collins in entering the elite category.
Cornerback
Aqib Talib, Broncos
This designation could've easily gone to his teammate Chris Harris, but Talib has edged his Pro Bowl partner through four games. He's been outstanding in every facet of the game, recording three interceptions - one returned for a touchdown - and dominating in run support as an integral part of the Broncos' vaunted defense.
Marcus Peters, Chiefs
Peters leads the NFL with four interceptions, but it would be unfair to describe him as a mere ball hawk. The second-year pro has improved in coverage, and is physical enough to go against the league's most imposing wide receivers. On a defense replete with talent, Peters has been the Chiefs' standout player.
Safety
Eric Weddle, Ravens
How did the Chargers let this guy walk away? After landing in Baltimore as a free agent, Weddle wasted no time proving he’s got plenty left in the tank. His ability in both run support and pass coverage has been a key factor in the Ravens’ defensive turnaround.
Reshad Jones, Dolphins
Jones is picking up where he left off last year. The veteran safety is one of few reliable contributors on Miami’s defense to this point, once again getting downhill and blowing up the run game as well as any safety in football.
