McCaffrey, Warner lead 49ers’ magnificent seven on AP All-Pro teams

McCaffrey, Warner lead 49ers' magnificent seven on AP All-Pro teams

SANTA CLARA — Running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Fred Warner were unanimously selected to the Associated Press’ All-Pro First Team, which also included tight end George Kittle, left tackle Trent Williams and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

That is the most 49ers to make AP First-Team All-Pro since Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch took over in 2017; nine players were selected to the Pro Bowl last week.

Making Second-Team All-Pro were wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and cornerback Charvarius Ward.

Brock Purdy received two first-place votes and finished third in the quarterback voting, behind Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) and Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys). Jackson totaled 139 votes (including 45 first-place nods), followed by Prescott (32; two), Purdy (22; two), and the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen (seven; one).

Nick Bosa, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, finished eighth in voting among defensive ends. Other 49ers to receive All-Pro votes: wide receiver Deebo Samuel (he drew a first-place vote), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Tashaun Gipson Sr., punter Mitch Wisnowsky and special-teams ace George Odum.

The seven players honored on the two All-Pro teams are the 49ers’ most since 2012, when they had six First-Team selections along with three players on the Second Team.

As for quarterback, Purdy won the Pro Bowl’s fan vote and is the NFC’s designated starter. The 49ers have not had a quarterback make First-Team All-Pro since Steve Young in 1994. Young made it three times (1992-94), as did his predecessor, Joe Montana (1987, ’89, ’90). The only other 49ers quarterback to make First-Team All-Pro were Y.A. Tittle (1957) and John Brodie (1970).

More on the 49ers’ All-Pro quintet:

RB CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY

McCaffrey is only the 49ers’ third running back to earn Associated Press’ First-Team All-Pro honors. Roger Craig (1988) was the last to do so. Joe “The Jet” Perry made it in 1953 and ’54 as the NFL’s rushing champion, a title which McCaffrey has locked up with his 1,459 yards this season as the NFL’s wire-to-wire leader. Frank Gore, the 49ers’ all-time rushing king, never made AP First Team but did capture Second-Team honors in 2006.

TIGHT END GEORGE KITTLE

Kittle made AP First-Team All-Pro for the second time in his career (2019). He was Second Team in 2018 and 2022 behind the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce.

“If you would’ve told my 6-year-old elf that I was going to have that opportunity at some point, I’d be incredibly happy,” Kittle told the AP upon hearing the news. “My goal every single year is to be great at every aspect of being a tight end because I think it’s the most fun position.”

LINEBACKER FRED WARNER

Warner repeated on the AP’s First Team All-Pro, and it was his third time overall (2020) living up to the nickname “All-Pro Fred.” That trio of selections are the most by a 49ers’ linebacker since Patrick Willis (five times, 2007-12) and NaVorro Bowman (four times; 2011-15).

As for being a unanimous pick this season, Warner told the AP: “No freakin’ way. Wow, that’s special.”

LEFT TACKLE TRENT WILLIAMS

Hard to believe that Williams did not earn All-Pro until 2021, a year after he was traded from Washington. This is his third straight All-Pro selection, and it comes after he was invited to his 11th Pro Bowl last week.

FULLBACK KYLE JUSZCZYK

After making his eighth straight Pro Bowl (and seventh with the 49ers), Juszczyzk’s longtime goal was fulfilled by the AP adding an All-Pro fullback and naming him to that position.

WIDE RECEIVER BRANDON AIYUK

Aiyuk’s second straight 1,000-yard season helped him to his first-career AP All-Pro honors, doing so as a Second Team selection. Aiyuk drew the sixth-most votes behind Tyreek Hill (Miami); CeeDee Lamb (Dallas); Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit); A.J. Brown (Philadelphia) and Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams). Deebo Samuel drew three total votes, including one first-team vote.



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