NFL 2017: Predicting All-Pro first team offense after OTAs

With OTAs over here are the players who make 2017 NFL All-Pro first team on the offensive side of the football

The 2017 NFL season is inching closer as OTAs have closed all around the league. It's a time of excitement and hope as teams try to figure out exactly how their roster will shake out. New free agent additions try to adapt to their new home and rookies are doing all they can to assert themselves into their new jobs and become the best at what they do.

Speaking of the best, here's an early look at the top player for each offensive position at this very early portion of the 2017 NFL season — predictions for the 2017 NFL All-Pro first team offense.

Center: Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys

When the Dallas Cowboys selected Wisconsin center Travis Frederick with the 32nd pick in the 2013 draft, many experts scoffed. There was the typical "Dallas can't draft" slander as the consensus was Frederick had no business being drafted before round three.

Only the Cowboys are laughing now as Frederick became an instant starter for them and now has been named to three consecutive Pro Bowls. He continues to be an integral part to one of the best lines in the game and shows no signs of slowing down.

Dec 25, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers guard David DeCastro (66) blocks at the line of scrimmage against Baltimore Ravens defensive end Timmy Jernigan (99) during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Guards: Zack Martin – Dallas Cowboys; David DeCastro – Pittsburgh Steelers

Why stop at one Dallas offensive lineman? In 2014 they showed that their drafting philosophy had changed — even if no one wanted to believe it. With the lightning rod quarterback Johnny Manziel on the board, the Cowboys passed on the flashy pick and took Notre Dame guard Zack Martin. Like Frederick, Martin has been a Pro Bowl player at his position for three-straight seasons and is widely considered one of the best guards in the game.

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In 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected David DeCastro with the 24th overall pick out of Stanford. He's become a fixture in their offensive line and has helped clear the way for some great rushing teams.

Offensive Tackles: Joe Thomas – Cleveland Browns; Tyron Smith – Dallas Cowboys

Joe Thomas deserves an award. Not only is he one of the best in the game at the tackle spot, but he also has somehow managed to play his entire career with the Cleveland Browns without pulling all his hair out. The team has been atrocious, but he keeps giving them his all.

The trifecta of great linemen in Dallas started with Tyron Smith. He was the ninth pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and has been to the past four Pro Bowls. He's a monster at left tackle and has no problem going against any pass rusher thrown his way.

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers: Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons; Odell Beckham Jr. – New York Giants

Julio Jones is a nightmare to try and cover. The former Alabama receiver averages nearly 100 yards receiving per game, which eclipses the production of other receivers. In 2016 he saw his number of receptions dip after back-to-back years with 100-plus. Despite that, his efficiency was phenomenal as Jones averaged 17 yards per reception.

No player has ever come into the league with the kind of insane production that New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has. He's been a Pro Bowler every season since joining the NFL and has never had less than 10 touchdowns and 1,300 yards receiving. He may frustrate his team by skipping offseason programs and punching kicking nets, but he's an incredible player and one of the best receivers in the game.

Tight End: Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers

The Chicago Bears were foolish to trade Greg Olsen. He's the best pass catcher for the Carolina Panthers and is coming off his third-straight 1,000-yard season. He also is a complete player that doesn't shy away in the blocking game.

Feb 4, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers player Le'Veon Bell poses for photos after winning the Courtyard's Greatness on the Road Award during the 6th Annual NFL Honors at Wortham Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs: Le'Veon Bell – Pittsburgh Steelers; Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys

We go with two halfbacks on this team since the NFL is shying away from using fullbacks. Le'Veon Bell of the Steelers is choice number one as he's a legitimate game changer. The former Michigan State standout is coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,268 yards and seven touchdowns.

He showed off his versatility by also catching 75 passes for 616 yards and two more touchdowns. Those numbers came despite him missing the first four games due to suspension.

Along with Bell is the Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. Zeke led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns (despite the team resting him for the final game). He added a respectable 363 yards receiving on 32 receptions, but that looks average when compared to Bell.

Heading into the 2017 NFL season, look for Elliott to get even better as a pass catcher since the team moved on from their favorite route runner out of the backfield, running back Lance Dunbar.

Of course, Elliott gets a lot of help from the other guys Dallas has on this list. The best offensive line in the NFL can help any back look good, but with them blocking for Zeke, they look nearly unstoppable.

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Fox television announcer Terry Bradshaw (left) presents New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with the Vince Lombardi trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback: Tom Brady – New England Patriots

Imagine how much more magical last season could have been for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The league had a witch hunt as they tried for two years to determine Brady knowingly used deflated footballs. He was suspended the first four games last year, then came back ready to teach everyone a lesson.

Brady was excellent in guiding his Pats into the postseason. Once there, he methodically picked apart team after team. Then when it looked like he was finally defeated, Brady orchestrated the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history while also helping his team become the first to ever win an overtime game in the Super Bowl.

Now he looks to have all-world tight end Rob Gronkowski back, as well as the addition of former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The last time he had a receiver as talented as Cooks, he broke the record for most touchdown passes in a season.

The ageless signal-caller will turn 40 years old just before the 2017 NFL season kicks off, but he still isn't one to bet against. While out there throwing the ball, Brady doesn't look like any 40-year old quarterback we've ever seen.