3 Detroit Lions make PFWA’s 2020 All-NFC team

We’ve already seen three Detroit Lions make the 2021 Pro Bowl squad and two named to the All-Pro team, albeit the second team. Now three Lions players have been named to Pro Football Writers of America’s All-NFC team.

Tight end T.J Hockenson, punter Jack Fox and punt returning Jamal Agnew all made the 27-man squad that is voted on by accredited writers from all 32 NFL teams.

Hockenson, who was named to the Pro Bowl, finished the season third among NFL tight ends with 723 receiving yards, first in the NFC. That’s almost double the output from his rookie season (367 yards) last year.

Fox, who was named to both the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro teams, finished third in average punting yards and second in net punting yards. He set franchise records for both, as well. Patriots punter Jake Bailey, who bested Fox by 0.8 yards in net average, was named to PFWA’s All-NFL team.

Finally, Agnew, who was not named to the Pro Bowl nor the All-Pro teams, got the nod by PFWA due to his 12.7 punt return average, which was more than five yards better than the next closest NFC competitor (Nsimba Webster, 7.4). Agnew only had 14 punt returns on the season, but a late 74-yard touchdown return helped boost that average. Agnew now has five return touchdowns (four punt, one kickoff) in his four-year career. He is set to become a free agent in March.

Perhaps the only snub on the Lions for the Lions was that of center Frank Ragnow. Ragnow was named second-team All Pro and made it on the Pro Bowl roster, but he was bested by Packers center Corey Linsley on both PFWA’s All-NFL and All-NFC teams.

You can view both lists here.