The Associated Press announced their 2019 All-Pro teams and three Patriots were featured, with Stephon Gilmore and Matthew Slater named to the first team and Joe Thuney named to the second team.
Gilmore was one of two unanimous selections, along with Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Gilmore also made first team All-Pro last season but had an even better year in 2019, finishing tied for the league lead in interceptions with six, including two that he returned for touchdowns. It was a career high in interceptions for Gilmore, who also tied his total of 20 passes defensed from last season.
While lining up on the top receiving threat all season long, Gilmore allowed an opposing passer rating of just 43.6 and figures to be a key piece once again for the Patriots Super Bowl hopes this post season. Since arriving from Buffalo in 2017, Gilmore has carved out a spot as one of the best NFL cornerbacks, not only racking up impressive numbers but making critical plays in big moments, like the game-ending pass defense in the 2017 AFC Championship and a pivotal interception in Super Bowl 53.
It is Matthew Slater's second time as a first-team All-Pro selection, with his first coming in 2016. He helped lead the Patriots to a team-record four blocked punts, one of which Slater returned for a touchdown, the first in his 12-year career. The team's emotional leader both on and off the field, Slater has been a critical veteran presence for the Patriots and has been voted to eight Pro Bowls in his career.
Joe Thuney was voted to the AP's All-Pro second team, the first individual honor of his four-year career. Despite an inconsistent season for the Patriots offensive line that saw departures and injuries on both sides of the left guard, Thuney was a mainstay of the blocking efforts this season, starting all 16 games. He also was not whistled for a penalty for the first time in his career while playing 99 percent of the offensive snaps. A day one starter since he was drafted in the third round of the 2016 entry draft, Thuney is slated to hit free agency this offseason.
