Congratulations to the season 29 Sim Football Writers Guild All-Pro Teams!
QUARTERBACK
1st team: Colby Jack (Unanimous selection)
Key stats: 108.1 passer rating (1st), 7.70 ANY/A (1st), 5,758 passing yards (most in ISFL history)
2nd team: Nick Kaepercolin
Key stats: 3.55 TD:INT rate (1st), 102.8 passer rating (2nd), 66.45% completion rate (3rd)
![[Image: Colby_AP_S29.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/806926659143729243/861251822056112138/Colby_AP_S29.png)
Colby Jack had a top-tier season from the quarterback position this season and was one of the three offensive players that made for easy unanimous first team selections this season. For comparison, our first team QB last season, Charlemagne Cortez, had a league-leading 7.05 ANY/A on 4,504 yards. The eventual S28 ISFL QBotY Mattathias Caliban had 5,668 passing yards with just 6.52 ANY/A. Colby Jack crushed both of those players’ performances, hitting a ridiculous 7.70 ANY/A while setting the ISFL record for passing yards in a season.
Though Mike Boss Jr. siphoned some votes off of the Berlin leading man thanks in part to a slight edge in volume and 0.03 higher ANY/A stat line, Nick Kaepercolin eventually took hold of the second spot among the quarterbacks this season. Kaepercolin was extremely efficient, leading the Fire Salamanders to the best record in the regular season thanks in large part to his ability to score TDs while avoiding slinging it to the other side better than any other QB this season.
RUNNING BACK
1st team: Tatsu Nakamura (Unanimous selection)
Key Stats: 1564 rushing yards, league leader, 21 rushing TDs, league leader, 4.8 ypc
2nd team: Danny King Jr
Key Stats: 1209 rushing yards, 3rd in the league, 13 rushing TDs, 3rd in the league, 4.48 yards per carry
2nd team flex: Jamar Lackson
Key Stats: 1719 scrimmage yards, 16 total TDs, 0 fumbles
![[Image: Nakamura_AP_S29.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/806926659143729243/861251826048827412/Nakamura_AP_S29.png)
Tatsu had a stranglehold over the first team spot for most of the season, and when all was said and done, his lead in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, while continuing to boast a great ypc, meant nobody could deny him the unanimous selection. This then became an increasingly tense fight for second between 4 running backs, each of whom had their own strengths and weaknesses. Despite the comparatively lower yards per carry, while still respectable, of both Danny King and Jamar Lackson, their lead in touchdowns and scrimmage yards made the difference over their competitors. King’s better rushing stats got him the Second team nod while Lackson got slotted into the flex.
WIDE RECEIVER
1st team: Kai Sakura (Unanimous selection)
Key stats: 1,838 receiving yards (2nd), 17.0 yards/catch (1st), 10.9 yards/target (2nd), 15 TDs (T-1st)
1st team: William Lim
Key stats: 1,926 receiving yards (1st), 10.2 yards/target (4rd), 58.9% first down rate (4th)
1st team flex: Owen Holloway
Key stats: 78.2% catch rate (1st), 10.7 yards/target (3nd), 13 TDs (5th)
2nd team: Mark Walker
Key stats: 71.1% catch rate (4th), 11.5 yards/target (1st), 1,471 receiving yards, 12 TDs
2nd team: Cmon Skiuuup
Key stats: 15.8 yards/catch (3rd), 1,517 receiving yards, 15 TDs (T-1st)
![[Image: Sakura_AP_S29.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/806926659143729243/861251828138377216/Sakura_AP_S29.png)
With first-team all-pro QB Colby Jack throwing to him, Sakura had an incredible season with a staggering 1800 receiving yards and 15 TDs on great efficiency numbers. The volume and efficiency combination resulted in a unanimous first-team selection. Joining him on the first-team is Yeti standout William Lim. Last season, Lim was second-team all-pro while winning the Wide Receiver of the Year award due to great volume numbers. This season, Lim once again had incredible volume, but backed it up with strong efficiency and earned his spot on the first team. Holloway rounds out the first team as an offensive flex player largely due to his phenomenal catch rate, securing over 5% more of his targets than second place Tugg Speedman.
On the second team, Sakura’s teammate Mark Walker had a terrific season as WR2, in fact leading the league in yards per target although one could argue it came against softer competition thanks to playing across from Sakura. Cmon Skiuuup had a season that makes him a strong contender for Offensive Breakout Player of the Year, tying for first in the league in receiving touchdowns and over 1500 receiving yards on good efficiency.
TIGHT END
1st team: Zee Rechs
Key stats: 60 pancakes (1st), 10 receiving TDs (T-1st), 6.48 yds/tar (3rd)
2nd team: James Angler
Key stats: 70.15% catch rate (1st), 1,031 receiving yards (2nd), 7.69 yds/tar (1st)
There are many great debates we see that may never be truly resolved: cats vs dogs, Apple vs Android, Cole Beasley vs science, receiving yards vs pancakes. Angler was an excellent receiver for the Sailfish this season, thanks in part to his time standing up on the outside, while Rechs continued to work as a premier traditional tight end, putting one hand in the ground and operating as a lethal threat in the run game and in the red zone. Rechs put opposing defenders into the dirt more than any other tight end this season, while also tying Angler at the top of the heap in receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, Angler’s superior route running and YAC ability led him leading the league’s tight ends in yards per target, consistently helping Sarasota move down the field.
FULLBACK
First Team: Buster Bawlls
Key Stats: 42 Pancakes, 0 sacks allowed
Second Team: Ben Alexander Arnold
Key Stats: 34 Pancakes, 0 sacks allowed, 33% first down rate
Buster Bawlls was an easy first teamer, with the most pancakes, no sacks allowed, and least penalty yardage against him of all the fullbacks in the league. The second team position quickly became a 2 horse race, which Alexander ended up winning due to his impressive first down rate, albeit on limited usage, making up a slight difference in pancakes between him and the other player with major consideration for the second team.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
1st team: Alexander Franklin
Key Stats: 132 pancakes, 1 SA, 2 penalties, 3 fumble recoveries
1st team: Mo “Mamba” Magic
Key Stats: 133 pancakes, 0 SA, 2 penalties, 1 fumble recovery
2nd team: Bruce Buckley
Key Stats: 130 pancakes, 0 SA, 3 penalties
2nd team: Jaja Ding Dong
Key Stats: 140 pancakes, 1 SA, 1 penalty
Despite coming in third in the pancake rankings, Franklin had the best pancake rate of all OL, owing to Philly running around 60-80 snaps fewer than Magic and Ding Dong played. He did concede a sack and give up 2 penalties, but aided his team immensely by falling on 3 offensive fumbles, the most of any OL. Taking into account snap count, Magic was around 6th in pancake rate, but only gave up 2 penalties and avoided conceding any sacks. He also managed to recover a fumble as well.
Our 2nd team sees league legend Bruce Buckley, who broke the career pancake record this season, and Jaja Ding Dong, who broke the single season pancake record. Buckley made a late charge up the rankings and finished an impressive 3rd in adjusted pancake rate and avoided any allowed sacks, though his 3 penalties cost his chances at a first team slot. And while Ding Dong did top the pancake rankings, he played more than an extra game’s worth of snaps over Franklin and Buckley, and his late season SA and penalty knocked him out of the top spot.
OFFENSIVE GUARD
1st team: LeBron James III
Key Stats: 75 pancakes, 0 SA, 1 penalty
1st team: Felix Archstone
Key Stats: 84 pancakes, 1 SA, 1 penalty
2nd team: Marlon Alexander
Key Stats: 64 pancakes, 0 SA, 2 penalties, 2 fumble recoveries
2nd team: Maiteers Rico-Shea
Key Stats: 82 pancakes, 0 SA, 6 penalties
James III had a fantastic rookie season, making the first team at the first time of asking. His pancake rate ranked somewhere in the middle among guards, but he cost his team on only one occasion, with a penalty. Archstone did a lot more on a lot less, with one of the best pancake rates in the league making up for an allowed sack and a penalty.
Alexander makes the team despite being one of the lower pancaking guards in the ISFL this season. He avoided giving up any sacks, and his two fumble recoveries more than outweighed his two penalties. And it’s a second rookie who takes a spot in the guard rankings. Rico-Shea had the best pancake rate of all guards this season, but will need to stay out of trouble with the referee going forward, picking up 6 penalties.
CENTER
1st team: Icebox Riposte
Key Stats: 65 pancakes, 0 SA, 0 penalties
2nd team: Taylor Cooper
Key Stats: 59 pancakes, 0 SA, 5 penalties
What more can you say about Icebox Riposte? He’s now gone two seasons without recording a single negative play which is a truly ridiculous achievement. It’s not like he was avoiding getting involved either. His pancake rate was among the best of all centers. He was a clear first teamer once again.
Berlin’s Cooper ranked second among human centers, having a mid-tier pancake rate and avoiding any allowed sacks. His 5 penalties still hurt Berlin, though still had a stronger season than the other 7 human centers in the league.
DEFENSIVE INTERIOR
1st team: BigEddi ForeverYeti
Key stats: 59 tackles (3rd), 8 sacks (2nd), 98.33 Tackle% (1st), 3 FF/2 FR
1st team: Honky-Tonk Haywood
Key stats: 80 tackles (1st), 11 TFL (T-1st), 2 Sacks, 94.12 Tackle% (3rd), 2 FF
2nd team: Owen Isaac
Key stats: 52 tackles, 11 TFL (T-1st), 4 Sacks
2nd team: Hank Steel & Leon McDavid (tied) and
Key stats: 55 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks (Steel) | 44 tackles, 3 TFL, 7 sacks (McDavid)
Another season down, another league accolade for Big Edd. The perennial award nominee at Defensive Tackle just keeps on churning out strong seasons, and this year was no different. Among all Interior Defensive Linemen, Edd was the best at getting to the passer, and also only had 1 missed tackle all season. For different style of DL, we have the County-singing big boy out of Philly, Honky-Tonk Haywood, who was a run stuffing machine this season. His 80 tackles were 20 more than the next highest total, and his 11 tackles for loss showed he was capable of getting behind the line.
The Second Team vote was quite contentious, as you can see from there being a tie for one of the spots. Owen Isaac tied Haywood with 11 TFL on the season, but when you consider his 28 less tackles on the season, the number is even more impressive. McDavid and Steel both posted similar stat lines on the season, as they were both versatile IDL that were forces in both the pass and run game.
EDGE RUSHER
1st team: Leonard Taylor
Key stats: 65 tackles, 15 sacks, 2 safeties, 4 FF
1st team: Derred de Ville
Key stats: 94 tackles, 19 sacks, 6 TFL
2nd team: L'Gazzy Burfict
Key stats: 11 sacks, 7 TFL, 3 INT, 6 FF, 2 FT
2nd team: Tyler Montain
Key stats: 107 tackles, 14 sacks, 3 INT, 2 safeties, 3 FR, 1 DTD
The Edge spot this season was definitely not lacking for quality candidates, and whittling the list came down to the final two votes being cast. There are a number of names you could possibly throw on this list and be happy with, but these four each brought something unique to the game this season. Taylor is unique as being the only Defensive End to make the cut, and deservedly so. He tied or led DE in tackles, sacks, forced fumbles, and safeties this season. Derred de Ville showed us that even with a change in venue he still was an elite Linebacker, as his 19 sacks were three more than anyone else in the league put up this season, and his 6 TFL and 1 INT showed he wasn’t a one trick pony.
On the second team we have Burfict and Montain, two players whose pass rushing stats, while being very strong, are not the main reason they were elected. Both LBs showed they were able to make impact plays at all levels of the defense this season, showcased by their 3 INT each, and Montain’s Defensive Touchdown. Burfict had a knack for knocking the ball loose as his 6 FF was the highest total this season, and Montain’s 2 safeties tied Leonard for the league lead.
LINEBACKER
1st team: Michael Witheblock
Key stats: 16 sacks, 6 TFL, 57.6% catch rate allowed, 0 penalties
1st team: Vincent Jones Jr.
Key stats: 4 FF 1 FR, 3 INT, 51.3% catch rate allowed, 96.9% successful tackle rate
2nd team: Ernest Lover
Key stats: 16 PDs, 8 sacks, 57.5% catch rate allowed, 109 tackles
2nd team: Brach Thomaslacher
Key stats: 13 sacks, 12 PDs, 1 DTD, 109 tackles
Linebackers are asked to play many defensive roles, making plays in the backfield and covering offensive players downfield in the passing game. Our selections by and large recognize those players who were able to contribute positively in many aspects of the game, both with pass rushing and play making ability and with coverage. Michael Witheblock in his first season at LB transitioned seamlessly to fill the holes left by the departures of Derred de Ville and Haha Mango-Panda, leading all off-ball linebackers with 16 sacks. Vincent Jones Jr. had a stellar season in coverage, allowing completions on barely more than half of passes thrown his way while generating at least 4 takeaways.
Witheblock’s partner-in-crime Lover had a great season in his second at the position, with 16 pass breakups along with 8 sacks demonstrating a wide variety of playmaking abilities. Finally, Thomaslacher was similarly present at all levels of the field with an impressive combination of 13 sacks and 12 passes defensed, and added a defensive touchdown to go along with them.
CORNERBACK
1st team: Colt Mendoza
Key stats: 5 FF 4 FR (1st), 33 PDs (3rd), 60.71 catch%
1st team: Andrew Witten
Key stats: 5 INTs (T-2nd), 29 PDs (T-6th), 2 DTDs (1st)
1st team flex: Harrison Andrews
Key Stats: 6 INTs (1st), 29 PDs (T-6th)
2nd team: Swantavius Jones
Key stats: 64.5% PDs/Incompletions (2nd), 40 PDs (1st)
2nd team: Albert Ruschmann
Key stats: 36 PDs (2nd), 22.5% PDs/target (3rd), 1 DTD (T-3rd)
2nd team flex: Tyron Shields
Key stats: 5 INTs (T-2nd), 1 DTD (T-3rd), 3 sacks (T-1st)
Mendoza was a force to be reckoned with this season. He was a threat to force a turnover at any given moment, leading in that category by knocking the ball loose or cutting off the receivers and picking off the pass. But no one was a bigger threat after turning over the ball than Andrew Witten, who housed two picks and ended the season with 124 INT return yards, the most in the league. Harrison “Robbed of an Awards Nomination” Andrews had an elite level 61.27 catch% while also picking off the ball more than any other player not named Cuco Clemente. A 20.4% PD/target rate also puts him in the top 5 in that category.
Swantavius Jones and Ruschmann were PD machines. Almost a quarter of the time that either of these CBs were targeted, they deflected the pass. Jones led the league in PDs with Ruschmann not too far behind. Ruschmann also had the third lowest allowed catch% among those receiving votes here. Shield found himself moving all around the field, seemingly finding himself supporting quite close to the line this season. He tied the 2nd place mark in INTs with 5 while also tying the lead in sacks for a CB.
SAFETY
1st team: Cuco Clemente (Unanimous selection)
Key stats: 7 INTs (1st), 14 PDs (1st), 2 DTDs (T-1st)
1st team: Joel Drake
Key stats: 0 Missed Tackles (T-1st), 12 PDs (T-5th), 5 INTs (T-2nd)
2nd team: Eldrick Avery
Key stats: 5 INTs (T-2nd), 60.56 catch% (5th among S with 100+ targets)
2nd team: Jeremiah Zelos
Key stats: 89 tackles (1st), 13 PDs (T-2nd), 5 TFLs (1st), 6 sacks (T-6th)
![[Image: Clemente_S29_AP.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/806926659143729243/861251819274764328/Clemente_S29_AP.png)
Clemente absolutely dominated this season as a big play maker, adding a TFL and a pair of sacks to the above stats. With a solid 63.64 catch% as well, Clemente was the clear number one safety this season. Joel Drake was like a poor man’s Clemente, excelling as a coverage while also ending the season as one of two safeties with no missed tackles.
Avery’s 60.56 catch% is the best among the top flight safeties with 4 or more interceptions. With 61 tackles and a sack with only 1 MT, Avery did a good job of bringing ballcarriers down as well. Zelos was probably the most potent versatile bruiser safety this season. Zelos flew all around the field for the Hawks, creating big plays in the backfield, breaking up passes, and bringing the pain wherever he went.
KICKER
1st team: Cade York
Key stats: 91.67 FG% (2nd), 149 points (2nd), 8.27 PAR (3rd), 100% on FGs <40 yards
2nd team: Taipan Pete
Key stats: 9.28 PAR (1st), 90.91 FG% (3rd)
This was a decently close race between the two All Pros. While York was not at the top of either Field Goal% or Extra Point percent, he does have a higher field goal percent than anyone who did go perfect. He also made 14 of his 17 kicks from long range and didn’t miss any from closer than 40 yards. That put him over Pete by a hair, who took less kicks in general, but still only missed 3 kicks from more than 40 yards out. To clinch the second team spot, he went perfect on extra points.
PUNTER:
1st team: Matty McDairmid (Unanimous selection)
Key Stats: 48.97 punt average, 46.38% inside the 20
2nd team: Taipan Pete
Key Stats: 48.5 yards per punt, 2nd highest in the league, 32 punts inside the 20 on 68 punts
![[Image: McDairmid_S29_AP.png]](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/806926659143729243/861251824160604180/McDairmid_S29_AP.png)
Each of our all pro punters led the league in a key stat; McDairmid was easily top of the class in punt average, nearing 49 yards per punt. Pete, meanwhile, managed to get fully half of his punts to land inside the 20. McDairmid was much closer to Pete in terms of inside the 20 rate than Pete was to McDairmid in terms of length, so Matty easily took the 1st team nomination. Pete, however, was able to overcome a merely mediocre punt average to take the 2nd team spot. That 50% inside the 20 was too great to ignore.
RETURNER:
1st team: Chizuru Ichinose
Key Stats: 29.60 yards per kick return, 10.14 yards per punt return
2nd team: Flash Panda
Key Stats: 25.29 yards per kick return, 19.47 yards per punt return
Each of our major candidates for the returner spots had a single touchdown to their name, so that didn’t set people apart this season. That being said, Ichinose got the First Team returner spot due to managing to split the difference between Kick and Punt returning. While she didn’t manage to lead the league in either type of returns, she did manage to rank highly in both. Flash Panda, meanwhile, was a Punt Return specialist, and was able to get to the 2nd team spot by being so good at punt returns, leading the league and making it to 3rd all time, that it made up for his comparatively lower kick return average.
SFWG All-Pro First Team
QB: Colby Jack*
RB: Tatsu Nakamura*
FB: Buster Bawlls
WR: Kai Sakura*
WR: William Lim
TE: Zee Rechs
OFlex: Owen Holloway
OT: Alexander Franklin
OT: Mo Magic
OG: LeBron James III
OG: Felix Archstone
C: Icebox Riposte
DI: BigEddi ForeverYeti
DI: Honky-Tonk Haywood
EDGE: Leonard Taylor
EDGE: Derred de Ville
LB: Michael Witheblock
LB: Vincent Jones Jr.
CB: Colt Mendoza
CB: Andrew Witten
S: Cuco Clemente*
S: Joel Drake
DBFlex: Harrison Andrews
K: Cade York
P: Matthew McDairmid*
Returner: Chizuru Ichinose
SFWG All-Pro Second Team
QB: Nick Kaepercolin
RB: Danny King Jr.
FB: Ben Alexander-Arnold
WR: Mark Walker
WR: Cmon Skiuuup
TE: James Angler
OFlex: Jamar Lackson
OT: Bruce Buckley
OT: Jaja Ding Dong
OG: Marlon Alexander
OG: Maiteers Rico-Shea
C: Taylor Cooper
DI: Owen Isaac
DI: Hank Steel & Leon McDavid
EDGE: L'Gazzy Burfict
EDGE: Tyler Montain
LB: Ernest Lover
LB: Brach Thomaslacher
CB: Swantavius Jones
CB: Albert Ruschmann
S: Eldrick Avery
S: Jeremiah Zelos
DBFlex: Tyron Shields
K: Taipan Pete
P: Taipan Pete
Returner: Flash Panda
* = Unanimous selection
Other Players Receiving Votes:
QB Mike Boss Jr., RB Captain Rogers, RB Zoe Watts, FB Sigismund Sternenstaub, WR Joshua Campbell, WR Videl-San, TE Heath Evans, OG Ananda Adyan, OG Dorfus Jimbo Jr., C Donald McBobby, DI Mario VonPebbles, DI Raylan Crowder, EDGE Adelie de Pengu, EDGE BamBam McMullet, EDGE Dex Kennedy, EDGE Von Hayes, LB Guy Fields, LB Jack Banks, CB Brandon Booker, CB C.J. Sonjack, CB Desmond Scarlett, CB Osiris Firestorm-Fjord, S Bob Roberts, S Damian Blackfyre, S DB Jadakiss, S Eugene Smoothie, S Matt Cross, S Prince Vegeta, K Blago Kokot, P Sam Sidekick, Returner Jackson Kingston
Summary by team:
(9): 1 1st team, 8 2nd team
(7): 5 1st team, 2 2nd team
(6): 4 1st team, 2 2nd team
(5): 1 1st team, 4 2nd team
(4): 2 1st team, 2 2nd team
(4): 2 1st team, 2 2nd team
(3): 2 1st team, 1 2nd team
(3): 2 1st team, 1 2nd team
(3): 2 1st team, 1 2nd team
(3): 1 1st team, 2 2nd team
(2): 2 1st team, 0 2nd team
(2): 1 1st team, 1 2nd team
(1): 0 1st team, 1 2nd team
(1): 1 1st team, 0 2nd team
Hey y’all! Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of the article. Congratulations to all of the players voted to this season’s All-Pro teams. In order to better facilitate this process in the future and hopefully increase the quality of our list, the SFWG is looking to add more members to our ranks.
In case you don’t know who we are, the Simulation Football Writers Guild was created in response to a lack of quality player performance analysis, clear inconsistencies from the awards and pro bowl voters, and an overreliance on a few statistics without consideration for advanced statistics and a better look at player’s statistics in context. The All-Pro team is at the center of what SFWG does season to season, with the statistical compilation and the calculation of advanced stats like ANY/A and PAR leading up to creating what I believe is the best list of top performers in the league.
We’re hoping to bring on more individuals to participate in discussions, vote for the team, and even publish additional media deep dives if they have the extra time for it. If you’d like to join our ranks please DM me on Discord (my ID is qWest#1380) with why you want to join the team, what you think you can bring to the team, and a sampling of your past sim league writing.
-qWest
QUARTERBACK
1st team: Colby Jack (Unanimous selection)
Key stats: 108.1 passer rating (1st), 7.70 ANY/A (1st), 5,758 passing yards (most in ISFL history)
2nd team: Nick Kaepercolin
Key stats: 3.55 TD:INT rate (1st), 102.8 passer rating (2nd), 66.45% completion rate (3rd)
Colby Jack had a top-tier season from the quarterback position this season and was one of the three offensive players that made for easy unanimous first team selections this season. For comparison, our first team QB last season, Charlemagne Cortez, had a league-leading 7.05 ANY/A on 4,504 yards. The eventual S28 ISFL QBotY Mattathias Caliban had 5,668 passing yards with just 6.52 ANY/A. Colby Jack crushed both of those players’ performances, hitting a ridiculous 7.70 ANY/A while setting the ISFL record for passing yards in a season.
Though Mike Boss Jr. siphoned some votes off of the Berlin leading man thanks in part to a slight edge in volume and 0.03 higher ANY/A stat line, Nick Kaepercolin eventually took hold of the second spot among the quarterbacks this season. Kaepercolin was extremely efficient, leading the Fire Salamanders to the best record in the regular season thanks in large part to his ability to score TDs while avoiding slinging it to the other side better than any other QB this season.
RUNNING BACK
1st team: Tatsu Nakamura (Unanimous selection)
Key Stats: 1564 rushing yards, league leader, 21 rushing TDs, league leader, 4.8 ypc
2nd team: Danny King Jr
Key Stats: 1209 rushing yards, 3rd in the league, 13 rushing TDs, 3rd in the league, 4.48 yards per carry
2nd team flex: Jamar Lackson
Key Stats: 1719 scrimmage yards, 16 total TDs, 0 fumbles
Tatsu had a stranglehold over the first team spot for most of the season, and when all was said and done, his lead in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, while continuing to boast a great ypc, meant nobody could deny him the unanimous selection. This then became an increasingly tense fight for second between 4 running backs, each of whom had their own strengths and weaknesses. Despite the comparatively lower yards per carry, while still respectable, of both Danny King and Jamar Lackson, their lead in touchdowns and scrimmage yards made the difference over their competitors. King’s better rushing stats got him the Second team nod while Lackson got slotted into the flex.
WIDE RECEIVER
1st team: Kai Sakura (Unanimous selection)
Key stats: 1,838 receiving yards (2nd), 17.0 yards/catch (1st), 10.9 yards/target (2nd), 15 TDs (T-1st)
1st team: William Lim
Key stats: 1,926 receiving yards (1st), 10.2 yards/target (4rd), 58.9% first down rate (4th)
1st team flex: Owen Holloway
Key stats: 78.2% catch rate (1st), 10.7 yards/target (3nd), 13 TDs (5th)
2nd team: Mark Walker
Key stats: 71.1% catch rate (4th), 11.5 yards/target (1st), 1,471 receiving yards, 12 TDs
2nd team: Cmon Skiuuup
Key stats: 15.8 yards/catch (3rd), 1,517 receiving yards, 15 TDs (T-1st)
With first-team all-pro QB Colby Jack throwing to him, Sakura had an incredible season with a staggering 1800 receiving yards and 15 TDs on great efficiency numbers. The volume and efficiency combination resulted in a unanimous first-team selection. Joining him on the first-team is Yeti standout William Lim. Last season, Lim was second-team all-pro while winning the Wide Receiver of the Year award due to great volume numbers. This season, Lim once again had incredible volume, but backed it up with strong efficiency and earned his spot on the first team. Holloway rounds out the first team as an offensive flex player largely due to his phenomenal catch rate, securing over 5% more of his targets than second place Tugg Speedman.
On the second team, Sakura’s teammate Mark Walker had a terrific season as WR2, in fact leading the league in yards per target although one could argue it came against softer competition thanks to playing across from Sakura. Cmon Skiuuup had a season that makes him a strong contender for Offensive Breakout Player of the Year, tying for first in the league in receiving touchdowns and over 1500 receiving yards on good efficiency.
TIGHT END
1st team: Zee Rechs
Key stats: 60 pancakes (1st), 10 receiving TDs (T-1st), 6.48 yds/tar (3rd)
2nd team: James Angler
Key stats: 70.15% catch rate (1st), 1,031 receiving yards (2nd), 7.69 yds/tar (1st)
There are many great debates we see that may never be truly resolved: cats vs dogs, Apple vs Android, Cole Beasley vs science, receiving yards vs pancakes. Angler was an excellent receiver for the Sailfish this season, thanks in part to his time standing up on the outside, while Rechs continued to work as a premier traditional tight end, putting one hand in the ground and operating as a lethal threat in the run game and in the red zone. Rechs put opposing defenders into the dirt more than any other tight end this season, while also tying Angler at the top of the heap in receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, Angler’s superior route running and YAC ability led him leading the league’s tight ends in yards per target, consistently helping Sarasota move down the field.
FULLBACK
First Team: Buster Bawlls
Key Stats: 42 Pancakes, 0 sacks allowed
Second Team: Ben Alexander Arnold
Key Stats: 34 Pancakes, 0 sacks allowed, 33% first down rate
Buster Bawlls was an easy first teamer, with the most pancakes, no sacks allowed, and least penalty yardage against him of all the fullbacks in the league. The second team position quickly became a 2 horse race, which Alexander ended up winning due to his impressive first down rate, albeit on limited usage, making up a slight difference in pancakes between him and the other player with major consideration for the second team.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
1st team: Alexander Franklin
Key Stats: 132 pancakes, 1 SA, 2 penalties, 3 fumble recoveries
1st team: Mo “Mamba” Magic
Key Stats: 133 pancakes, 0 SA, 2 penalties, 1 fumble recovery
2nd team: Bruce Buckley
Key Stats: 130 pancakes, 0 SA, 3 penalties
2nd team: Jaja Ding Dong
Key Stats: 140 pancakes, 1 SA, 1 penalty
Despite coming in third in the pancake rankings, Franklin had the best pancake rate of all OL, owing to Philly running around 60-80 snaps fewer than Magic and Ding Dong played. He did concede a sack and give up 2 penalties, but aided his team immensely by falling on 3 offensive fumbles, the most of any OL. Taking into account snap count, Magic was around 6th in pancake rate, but only gave up 2 penalties and avoided conceding any sacks. He also managed to recover a fumble as well.
Our 2nd team sees league legend Bruce Buckley, who broke the career pancake record this season, and Jaja Ding Dong, who broke the single season pancake record. Buckley made a late charge up the rankings and finished an impressive 3rd in adjusted pancake rate and avoided any allowed sacks, though his 3 penalties cost his chances at a first team slot. And while Ding Dong did top the pancake rankings, he played more than an extra game’s worth of snaps over Franklin and Buckley, and his late season SA and penalty knocked him out of the top spot.
OFFENSIVE GUARD
1st team: LeBron James III
Key Stats: 75 pancakes, 0 SA, 1 penalty
1st team: Felix Archstone
Key Stats: 84 pancakes, 1 SA, 1 penalty
2nd team: Marlon Alexander
Key Stats: 64 pancakes, 0 SA, 2 penalties, 2 fumble recoveries
2nd team: Maiteers Rico-Shea
Key Stats: 82 pancakes, 0 SA, 6 penalties
James III had a fantastic rookie season, making the first team at the first time of asking. His pancake rate ranked somewhere in the middle among guards, but he cost his team on only one occasion, with a penalty. Archstone did a lot more on a lot less, with one of the best pancake rates in the league making up for an allowed sack and a penalty.
Alexander makes the team despite being one of the lower pancaking guards in the ISFL this season. He avoided giving up any sacks, and his two fumble recoveries more than outweighed his two penalties. And it’s a second rookie who takes a spot in the guard rankings. Rico-Shea had the best pancake rate of all guards this season, but will need to stay out of trouble with the referee going forward, picking up 6 penalties.
CENTER
1st team: Icebox Riposte
Key Stats: 65 pancakes, 0 SA, 0 penalties
2nd team: Taylor Cooper
Key Stats: 59 pancakes, 0 SA, 5 penalties
What more can you say about Icebox Riposte? He’s now gone two seasons without recording a single negative play which is a truly ridiculous achievement. It’s not like he was avoiding getting involved either. His pancake rate was among the best of all centers. He was a clear first teamer once again.
Berlin’s Cooper ranked second among human centers, having a mid-tier pancake rate and avoiding any allowed sacks. His 5 penalties still hurt Berlin, though still had a stronger season than the other 7 human centers in the league.
DEFENSIVE INTERIOR
1st team: BigEddi ForeverYeti
Key stats: 59 tackles (3rd), 8 sacks (2nd), 98.33 Tackle% (1st), 3 FF/2 FR
1st team: Honky-Tonk Haywood
Key stats: 80 tackles (1st), 11 TFL (T-1st), 2 Sacks, 94.12 Tackle% (3rd), 2 FF
2nd team: Owen Isaac
Key stats: 52 tackles, 11 TFL (T-1st), 4 Sacks
2nd team: Hank Steel & Leon McDavid (tied)
and Key stats: 55 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks (Steel) | 44 tackles, 3 TFL, 7 sacks (McDavid)
Another season down, another league accolade for Big Edd. The perennial award nominee at Defensive Tackle just keeps on churning out strong seasons, and this year was no different. Among all Interior Defensive Linemen, Edd was the best at getting to the passer, and also only had 1 missed tackle all season. For different style of DL, we have the County-singing big boy out of Philly, Honky-Tonk Haywood, who was a run stuffing machine this season. His 80 tackles were 20 more than the next highest total, and his 11 tackles for loss showed he was capable of getting behind the line.
The Second Team vote was quite contentious, as you can see from there being a tie for one of the spots. Owen Isaac tied Haywood with 11 TFL on the season, but when you consider his 28 less tackles on the season, the number is even more impressive. McDavid and Steel both posted similar stat lines on the season, as they were both versatile IDL that were forces in both the pass and run game.
EDGE RUSHER
1st team: Leonard Taylor
Key stats: 65 tackles, 15 sacks, 2 safeties, 4 FF
1st team: Derred de Ville
Key stats: 94 tackles, 19 sacks, 6 TFL
2nd team: L'Gazzy Burfict
Key stats: 11 sacks, 7 TFL, 3 INT, 6 FF, 2 FT
2nd team: Tyler Montain
Key stats: 107 tackles, 14 sacks, 3 INT, 2 safeties, 3 FR, 1 DTD
The Edge spot this season was definitely not lacking for quality candidates, and whittling the list came down to the final two votes being cast. There are a number of names you could possibly throw on this list and be happy with, but these four each brought something unique to the game this season. Taylor is unique as being the only Defensive End to make the cut, and deservedly so. He tied or led DE in tackles, sacks, forced fumbles, and safeties this season. Derred de Ville showed us that even with a change in venue he still was an elite Linebacker, as his 19 sacks were three more than anyone else in the league put up this season, and his 6 TFL and 1 INT showed he wasn’t a one trick pony.
On the second team we have Burfict and Montain, two players whose pass rushing stats, while being very strong, are not the main reason they were elected. Both LBs showed they were able to make impact plays at all levels of the defense this season, showcased by their 3 INT each, and Montain’s Defensive Touchdown. Burfict had a knack for knocking the ball loose as his 6 FF was the highest total this season, and Montain’s 2 safeties tied Leonard for the league lead.
LINEBACKER
1st team: Michael Witheblock
Key stats: 16 sacks, 6 TFL, 57.6% catch rate allowed, 0 penalties
1st team: Vincent Jones Jr.
Key stats: 4 FF 1 FR, 3 INT, 51.3% catch rate allowed, 96.9% successful tackle rate
2nd team: Ernest Lover
Key stats: 16 PDs, 8 sacks, 57.5% catch rate allowed, 109 tackles
2nd team: Brach Thomaslacher
Key stats: 13 sacks, 12 PDs, 1 DTD, 109 tackles
Linebackers are asked to play many defensive roles, making plays in the backfield and covering offensive players downfield in the passing game. Our selections by and large recognize those players who were able to contribute positively in many aspects of the game, both with pass rushing and play making ability and with coverage. Michael Witheblock in his first season at LB transitioned seamlessly to fill the holes left by the departures of Derred de Ville and Haha Mango-Panda, leading all off-ball linebackers with 16 sacks. Vincent Jones Jr. had a stellar season in coverage, allowing completions on barely more than half of passes thrown his way while generating at least 4 takeaways.
Witheblock’s partner-in-crime Lover had a great season in his second at the position, with 16 pass breakups along with 8 sacks demonstrating a wide variety of playmaking abilities. Finally, Thomaslacher was similarly present at all levels of the field with an impressive combination of 13 sacks and 12 passes defensed, and added a defensive touchdown to go along with them.
CORNERBACK
1st team: Colt Mendoza
Key stats: 5 FF 4 FR (1st), 33 PDs (3rd), 60.71 catch%
1st team: Andrew Witten
Key stats: 5 INTs (T-2nd), 29 PDs (T-6th), 2 DTDs (1st)
1st team flex: Harrison Andrews
Key Stats: 6 INTs (1st), 29 PDs (T-6th)
2nd team: Swantavius Jones
Key stats: 64.5% PDs/Incompletions (2nd), 40 PDs (1st)
2nd team: Albert Ruschmann
Key stats: 36 PDs (2nd), 22.5% PDs/target (3rd), 1 DTD (T-3rd)
2nd team flex: Tyron Shields
Key stats: 5 INTs (T-2nd), 1 DTD (T-3rd), 3 sacks (T-1st)
Mendoza was a force to be reckoned with this season. He was a threat to force a turnover at any given moment, leading in that category by knocking the ball loose or cutting off the receivers and picking off the pass. But no one was a bigger threat after turning over the ball than Andrew Witten, who housed two picks and ended the season with 124 INT return yards, the most in the league. Harrison “Robbed of an Awards Nomination” Andrews had an elite level 61.27 catch% while also picking off the ball more than any other player not named Cuco Clemente. A 20.4% PD/target rate also puts him in the top 5 in that category.
Swantavius Jones and Ruschmann were PD machines. Almost a quarter of the time that either of these CBs were targeted, they deflected the pass. Jones led the league in PDs with Ruschmann not too far behind. Ruschmann also had the third lowest allowed catch% among those receiving votes here. Shield found himself moving all around the field, seemingly finding himself supporting quite close to the line this season. He tied the 2nd place mark in INTs with 5 while also tying the lead in sacks for a CB.
SAFETY
1st team: Cuco Clemente (Unanimous selection)
Key stats: 7 INTs (1st), 14 PDs (1st), 2 DTDs (T-1st)
1st team: Joel Drake
Key stats: 0 Missed Tackles (T-1st), 12 PDs (T-5th), 5 INTs (T-2nd)
2nd team: Eldrick Avery
Key stats: 5 INTs (T-2nd), 60.56 catch% (5th among S with 100+ targets)
2nd team: Jeremiah Zelos
Key stats: 89 tackles (1st), 13 PDs (T-2nd), 5 TFLs (1st), 6 sacks (T-6th)
Clemente absolutely dominated this season as a big play maker, adding a TFL and a pair of sacks to the above stats. With a solid 63.64 catch% as well, Clemente was the clear number one safety this season. Joel Drake was like a poor man’s Clemente, excelling as a coverage while also ending the season as one of two safeties with no missed tackles.
Avery’s 60.56 catch% is the best among the top flight safeties with 4 or more interceptions. With 61 tackles and a sack with only 1 MT, Avery did a good job of bringing ballcarriers down as well. Zelos was probably the most potent versatile bruiser safety this season. Zelos flew all around the field for the Hawks, creating big plays in the backfield, breaking up passes, and bringing the pain wherever he went.
KICKER
1st team: Cade York
Key stats: 91.67 FG% (2nd), 149 points (2nd), 8.27 PAR (3rd), 100% on FGs <40 yards
2nd team: Taipan Pete
Key stats: 9.28 PAR (1st), 90.91 FG% (3rd)
This was a decently close race between the two All Pros. While York was not at the top of either Field Goal% or Extra Point percent, he does have a higher field goal percent than anyone who did go perfect. He also made 14 of his 17 kicks from long range and didn’t miss any from closer than 40 yards. That put him over Pete by a hair, who took less kicks in general, but still only missed 3 kicks from more than 40 yards out. To clinch the second team spot, he went perfect on extra points.
PUNTER:
1st team: Matty McDairmid (Unanimous selection)
Key Stats: 48.97 punt average, 46.38% inside the 20
2nd team: Taipan Pete
Key Stats: 48.5 yards per punt, 2nd highest in the league, 32 punts inside the 20 on 68 punts
Each of our all pro punters led the league in a key stat; McDairmid was easily top of the class in punt average, nearing 49 yards per punt. Pete, meanwhile, managed to get fully half of his punts to land inside the 20. McDairmid was much closer to Pete in terms of inside the 20 rate than Pete was to McDairmid in terms of length, so Matty easily took the 1st team nomination. Pete, however, was able to overcome a merely mediocre punt average to take the 2nd team spot. That 50% inside the 20 was too great to ignore.
RETURNER:
1st team: Chizuru Ichinose
Key Stats: 29.60 yards per kick return, 10.14 yards per punt return
2nd team: Flash Panda
Key Stats: 25.29 yards per kick return, 19.47 yards per punt return
Each of our major candidates for the returner spots had a single touchdown to their name, so that didn’t set people apart this season. That being said, Ichinose got the First Team returner spot due to managing to split the difference between Kick and Punt returning. While she didn’t manage to lead the league in either type of returns, she did manage to rank highly in both. Flash Panda, meanwhile, was a Punt Return specialist, and was able to get to the 2nd team spot by being so good at punt returns, leading the league and making it to 3rd all time, that it made up for his comparatively lower kick return average.
SFWG All-Pro First Team
QB: Colby Jack*
RB: Tatsu Nakamura*
FB: Buster Bawlls
WR: Kai Sakura*
WR: William Lim
TE: Zee Rechs
OFlex: Owen Holloway
OT: Alexander Franklin
OT: Mo Magic
OG: LeBron James III
OG: Felix Archstone
C: Icebox Riposte
DI: BigEddi ForeverYeti
DI: Honky-Tonk Haywood
EDGE: Leonard Taylor
EDGE: Derred de Ville
LB: Michael Witheblock
LB: Vincent Jones Jr.
CB: Colt Mendoza
CB: Andrew Witten
S: Cuco Clemente*
S: Joel Drake
DBFlex: Harrison Andrews
K: Cade York
P: Matthew McDairmid*
Returner: Chizuru Ichinose
SFWG All-Pro Second Team
QB: Nick Kaepercolin
RB: Danny King Jr.
FB: Ben Alexander-Arnold
WR: Mark Walker
WR: Cmon Skiuuup
TE: James Angler
OFlex: Jamar Lackson
OT: Bruce Buckley
OT: Jaja Ding Dong
OG: Marlon Alexander
OG: Maiteers Rico-Shea
C: Taylor Cooper
DI: Owen Isaac
DI: Hank Steel & Leon McDavid
EDGE: L'Gazzy Burfict
EDGE: Tyler Montain
LB: Ernest Lover
LB: Brach Thomaslacher
CB: Swantavius Jones
CB: Albert Ruschmann
S: Eldrick Avery
S: Jeremiah Zelos
DBFlex: Tyron Shields
K: Taipan Pete
P: Taipan Pete
Returner: Flash Panda
* = Unanimous selection
Other Players Receiving Votes:
QB Mike Boss Jr., RB Captain Rogers, RB Zoe Watts, FB Sigismund Sternenstaub, WR Joshua Campbell, WR Videl-San, TE Heath Evans, OG Ananda Adyan, OG Dorfus Jimbo Jr., C Donald McBobby, DI Mario VonPebbles, DI Raylan Crowder, EDGE Adelie de Pengu, EDGE BamBam McMullet, EDGE Dex Kennedy, EDGE Von Hayes, LB Guy Fields, LB Jack Banks, CB Brandon Booker, CB C.J. Sonjack, CB Desmond Scarlett, CB Osiris Firestorm-Fjord, S Bob Roberts, S Damian Blackfyre, S DB Jadakiss, S Eugene Smoothie, S Matt Cross, S Prince Vegeta, K Blago Kokot, P Sam Sidekick, Returner Jackson Kingston
Summary by team:
(9): 1 1st team, 8 2nd team (7): 5 1st team, 2 2nd team (6): 4 1st team, 2 2nd team (5): 1 1st team, 4 2nd team (4): 2 1st team, 2 2nd team (4): 2 1st team, 2 2nd team (3): 2 1st team, 1 2nd team (3): 2 1st team, 1 2nd team (3): 2 1st team, 1 2nd team (3): 1 1st team, 2 2nd team (2): 2 1st team, 0 2nd team (2): 1 1st team, 1 2nd team (1): 0 1st team, 1 2nd team (1): 1 1st team, 0 2nd teamHey y’all! Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom of the article. Congratulations to all of the players voted to this season’s All-Pro teams. In order to better facilitate this process in the future and hopefully increase the quality of our list, the SFWG is looking to add more members to our ranks.
In case you don’t know who we are, the Simulation Football Writers Guild was created in response to a lack of quality player performance analysis, clear inconsistencies from the awards and pro bowl voters, and an overreliance on a few statistics without consideration for advanced statistics and a better look at player’s statistics in context. The All-Pro team is at the center of what SFWG does season to season, with the statistical compilation and the calculation of advanced stats like ANY/A and PAR leading up to creating what I believe is the best list of top performers in the league.
We’re hoping to bring on more individuals to participate in discussions, vote for the team, and even publish additional media deep dives if they have the extra time for it. If you’d like to join our ranks please DM me on Discord (my ID is qWest#1380) with why you want to join the team, what you think you can bring to the team, and a sampling of your past sim league writing.
-qWest
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Swanty - 20%
Slate - 10%
Pat - 10%
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