5 2024 AP All-Pro Defense snubs ft. Dexter Lawrence

The Associated Press announced its 2024 All-Pro teams this morning, featuring some surprises. Each year, the AP releases a list of players who excelled at their positions.

This year's All-Pro Defense team had a lot of the league's top players make the team while others were left off.

Here is who made the 2024 All-Pro defense teams:

• DEs - Myles Garrett & Trey Hendrickson
• DTs - Cameron Heyward & Chris Jones
• LBs - Zack Baun, Fred Warner & Roquan Smith
• CBs - Patrick Surtain II, Derek Stingley & Marlon Humphrey (slot)
• Safeties - Kerby Joseph & Xavier McKinney

The 2024 AP Second-Team All-Pro Defense includes:

• DEs - T.J. Watt, Nik Bonitto & Andrew Van Ginkel
• DTs - Zach Allen & Jalen Carter, LBs Frankie Luvu, Bobby Wagner & Zaire Franklin
• CBs - Trent McDuffie, Christian Gonzalez & Derwin James (slot)
• Safeties - Kyle Hamilton & Budda Baker

5 defensive players snubbed from the 2024 AP All-Pro list

Jessie Bates during New York Giants v Atlanta Falcons - Source: Getty

Each year, some deserving players are left off the AP All-Pro list. While the NFL is filled with talent, the selection is limited to a specific number of players.

Often, bigger or more popular names are chosen over those who may be more deserving, leading some fans to label it a popularity contest.

Here are five defensive players snubbed from this year's AP teams:

#1 - Dexter Lawrence

New York Giants interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence had a career year. He set a career-high in sacks with nine while tallying 44 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass deflection. He was PFF's second-highest-graded interior defensive lineman and had the second-best run defense grade.

#2 - Leonard Williams

Seattle Seahawks interior defensive lineman Leonard Williams, like Dexter Lawrence, also had a career year. He had the second-most sacks for an interior defensive lineman this season with 11 and 64 total tackles. He was PFF's fourth-highest-ranked interior defensive lineman and had the 6th-best run defense grade.

#3 - Christian Benford

Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford has had a quietly great season. He had the fourth-best grade by PFF for all cornerbacks (82.6.) and a coverage grade of 82.8, the fourth-highest. This season, he had 64 total tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two interceptions.

#4 - Jessie Bates

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates had a second-straight season of being a threat on defense. He had 102 total tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, one sack, one fumble recovery and 10 pass deflections. Bates had a "havoc rating" of 89 on the season, which ranks fourth among NFC safeties and was tied for the most "hustle" stops with 14.

#5 - Brian Branch

Many believe Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch was snubbed from being named a Pro-Bowler and All-Pro. According to PFF, he had the second-highest pass-rush grade (91) and the second-highest run-defense grade (90) for any safety.