EAGAN, Minn. — Three Vikings have been recognized as All-Pros for their 2022 seasons.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson and long snapper Andrew DePaola were announced to the First-Team All-Pro Team by The Associated Press Friday.
Return specialist Kene Nwangwu received Second-Team honors.
This marks the first time Jefferson has been named to the First Team, after receiving Second-Team honors in his first two seasons.
"It would mean a lot. Just to be recognized as one of the top in the league," Jefferson told media members Thursday. "It would definitely mean something to me to get First [Team] this time."
It is the first All-Pro recognition for DePaola and Nwangwu.
Jefferson and tight end Jason Kelce were the only two players who received unanimous votes, according to ESPN's Field Yates.
Jefferson was joined by Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill and Raiders receiver Davante Adams.
The Vikings wideout ended the 2022 regular season leading the NFL in receptions (128), receiving yards (1,809) and receiving yards per game (106.4).
In Week 12 against New England, Jefferson passed former Viking Randy Moss (4,163) for most receiving yards through a player's first three seasons. In Week 14 at Detroit, Jefferson hauled in 11 catches for a career-high 223 yards to break Sammy White's franchise regular-season record for receiving yards in a game.
Jefferson sent Randy Moss' single-season receiving record, accomplishing the feat against the Giants on Christmas Eve. Later that same game, he passed Cris Carter (122) for most receptions in a season.
He also set the NFL records for most receptions (324) and most receiving yards (4,825) in a player's first three seasons.
DePaola earned First-Team All-Pro honors after also receiving his first career Pro Bowl nod.
The long snapper has helped kicker Greg Joseph make five game-winning field goals this season, a new single-season franchise record. He's also assisted rookie punter Ryan Wright in posting the 10th-best net punting average (42.5) this season.
DePaola, or “Sir Po,” as nicknamed by Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels, has recorded 17 tackles in 106 career games.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell commended Jefferson, DePaola and Nwangwu on the accomplishment. He also commented on the supportive response from teammates, particularly upon the announcement of DePaola."[I let] the team know when we broke down the huddle [and] Justin Jefferson definitely received a strong round of applause, but I think that was probably expected. But when I said 'Andrew DePaola' ... [there tends to be] much more energy and enthusiasm for that than anything I say, I can tell you that much," O'Connell said, laughing. "As I told him, he's adding to the trophy case this year, which is really cool and well-deserved."
Nwangwu recorded his third career kickoff return touchdown this season, running one back 97 yards against the Patriots on Thanksgiving.
He ranked second in the league in total kickoff return yards with 920, trailing only Green Bay's Keisean Nixon (1,009), and his 26.3-yard average ranks ninth.
Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, Za'Darius Smith, T.J. Hockenson, Andrew DePaola, Dalvin Cook and Danielle Hunter are representing the Vikings at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.
Week 18 | Vikings at Detroit
Date & time TBD
Ford Field
An image from August 25, 2022 of practice at TCOPC in Eagan, MN.
RB Dalvin Cook
RB Dalvin Cook
RB Dalvin Cook
RB Dalvin Cook
RB Dalvin Cook
RB Dalvin Cook
RB Dalvin Cook
OLB Danielle Hunter
OLB Danielle Hunter
OLB Danielle Hunter
OLB Danielle Hunter
OLB Danielle Hunter
OLB Danielle Hunter
All-Pro First Team
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City
Running Back — Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas
Tight End — Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Wide Receivers — Justin Jefferson, Minnesota; Tyreek Hill, Miami; Davante Adams, Las Vegas
Left Tackle — Trent Williams, San Francisco
Right Tackle — Lane Johnson, Philadelphia
Left Guard — Joel Bitonio, Cleveland
Right Guard — Zack Martin, Dallas
Center — Jason Kelce, Philadelphia
DEFENSE
Edge Rushers — Nick Bosa, San Francisco; Micah Parsons, Dallas
Interior Linemen — Chris Jones, Kansas City; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
Linebackers — Fred Warner, San Francisco; Roquan Smith, Baltimore; Matt Milano, Buffalo
Cornerbacks — Sauce Gardner, New York Jets; Patrick Surtain II, Denver
Safeties — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh; Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker — Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas
Punter — Tommy Townsend, Kansas City
Kick Returner — Keisean Nixon, Green Bay
Punt Returner — Marcus Jones, New England
Special Teamer — Jeremy Reaves, Washington
Long Snapper — Andrew DePaola, Minnesota
All-Pro Second Team
View photos of WR Justin Jefferson, QB Kirk Cousins, OLB Za'Darius Smith, LS Andrew DePaola and TE T.J. Hockenson reacting to being selected to the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia
Running Back — Nick Chubb, Cleveland
Tight End — George Kittle, San Francisco
Wide Receivers — A.J. Brown, Philadelphia; Stefon Diggs, Buffalo; CeeDee Lamb, Dallas
Left Tackle — Andrew Thomas, New York Giants
Right Tackle — Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay
Left Guard — Joe Thuney, Kansas City
Right Guard — Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta
Center — Creed Humphrey, Kansas City
DEFENSE
Edge Rushers — Myles Garrett, Cleveland; Haason Reddick, Philadelphia
Interior Linemen — Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants; Jeffrey Simmons, Tennessee
Linebackers — Bobby Wagner, Los Angeles Rams; C.J. Mosley, New York Knicks; Demario Davis, New Orleans
Cornerbacks — Jaire Alexander, Green Bay; James Bradberry, Philadelphia
Safeties — Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers; Justin Simmons, Denver
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker — Justin Tucker, Baltimore
Punter — Ryan Stonehouse, Tennessee
Kick Returner — Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota
Punt Returner — Kalif Raymond, Detroit
Special Teamer — George Odum, San Francisco
Long Snapper — Nick Moore, Baltimore
