Posted by Charean Williams on December 25, 2019, 9:00 AM
EST
on December 25, 2019, 9:00 AM EST
1. Joe Thomas, OT, Browns: One of the
best players of the decade played for one of the worst teams of the decade. In
the eight seasons Thomas played this decade, the Browns went 29-99. But Thomas
made the Pro Bowl seven times and All-Pro five times before retiring after the
2017 season. His next stop is Canton.
2. Zack Martin, OG, Cowboys: Remember in
2014 when the Cowboys had a decision with the 16th overall choice: Martin or
quarterback Johnny Manziel? Manziel lasted only two seasons, playing only 15
games. Martin has turned into a generational player, already one of the best
guards in NFL history. Martin made his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl this season
and likely will add his fourth career All-Pro honor next week. If he stays
healthy, Martin should challenge the 11 Pro Bowls and six All-Pro honors Larry
Allen had with the Cowboys. Martin has five holding penalties and has allowed
11.5 sacks, according to STATS, Inc., in the 93 career games he has played.
3. Tyron Smith, OT, Cowboys: The Cowboys
made Smith the ninth overall choice in 2011. He has made the Pro Bowl the past
seven seasons and twice has earned All-Pro. Smith is in his ninth season but
only 29. He has had various injuries in recent seasons, including back issues,
and it has kept him from being as dominant as he once was. But Smith, who has
32 holding penalties and 34 sacks allowed this decade, per STATS, Inc., is
having a career worthy of Canton.
4. Marshal Yanda, OG, Ravens: Yanda was in his fourth season and not a
full-time starter when the decade opened. He ended up starting 140 of the 159
possible games played so far in the decade (before Sunday’s season finale) and
made the Pro Bowl eight times and All-Pro twice. He could earn All-Pro honors
for a third time next week, though Quenton Nelson entered that honor last
season at left guard. Yanda has eight holding penalties and 17.5 sacks allowed
this decade, per STATS, Inc.
5. Maurkice Pouncey, C, Steelers: The Steelers
made him the 18th overall choice in 2010. He has made 121 starts with 11
holding penalties and 13.25 sacks allowed, per STATS, Inc., in his career.
Pouncey has eight Pro Bowls and two All-Pro honors, and he was voted
second-team All-Pro three times.
Second-team offensive line
6. Jason Peters, OT, Eagles: Peters has
remained among the top offensive linemen all decade. He has made the Pro Bowl
six times and All-Pro twice this decade. He, Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson have formed one of the
league’s dominant offensive lines since 2013 when the Eagles drafted Johnson in
the first round.
7. Jason Kelce, C, Eagles: The Eagles drafted Kelce in
the sixth round of the 2011 draft. He started all 16 games as a rookie. In his
nine seasons this decade, Kelce has made the Pro Bowl three times and All-Pro
twice. He has 26 holding penalties and 11 sacks allowed, per STATS, Inc., in
his 125 games played.
8. Jahri Evans, OG, Saints, Packers: Evans was a
rock at right guard for the Saints for seven seasons in the decade. He closed
out his career with the Packers in 2017. In eight seasons in the decade, Evans
made five Pro Bowls and three times was All-Pro.
9. Andrew Whitworth, OT, Bengals, Rams: Playing in
Cincinnati the first 11 seasons of his career, Whitworth did not get his full
due. It wasn’t until his seventh season — in 2012 — that Whitworth made his
first Pro Bowl. He ended up making the Pro Bowl four times and All-Pro twice in
10 seasons in the decade. He has 35 holding penalties and 33.5 sacks allowed
this decade, per STATS, Inc.
10. Mike Iupati, OG, 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks: The 49ers
made Iupati a first-round choice in 2010. He started all 16 games as a rookie
and played 129 games this decade for three teams. Iupati earned Pro Bowl honors
four times and All-Pro in 2012. He has 18 holding penalties and 28.5 sacks
allowed, per STATS, Inc.