Two New Orleans Saints players named All-Pro

The All-Pro Teams are here, and two New Orleans Saints made the cut. One is in the Pro Bowl, and the other should have been more often during his Saints tenure.

With the kickoff of the 2023 NFL playoffs, right around the corner, attention turns to the season awards during the leisure time between games. Before the actual awards are handed out, the Associated Press announced their 2023 first and second-team All-Pro rosters. Given that the Pro Bowl rosters have already been announced, it's the natural next step. Two New Orleans Saints made the cut, one on each roster, and given how the Saints season went in 2023, it's a bit of a pleasant surprise.

Rashid Shaheed, the Saints lone Pro Bowl honoree in 2023, was voted to the Pro Bowl simply as a "return specialist." For his efforts in the punt return game, Shaheed became the Saints lone first-team All-Pro selection, being the team's punt returner. For those keeping score at home, Keisean Nixon of the Green Bay Packers is the kick returner. Surely Shaheed's punt return house call in Lambeau Field was a big reason for the nod, bringing this whole thing full-circle.

As for the player named to the second-team, he needs little introduction. That man is linebacker Demario Davis, already a Saints legend, and progressively approaching NFL legend status.

Davis was named first-team All-Pro in 2019, with this season being his fourth consecutive second-team selection dating back to 2020. As such, Davis becomes the sixth Saints player to be named to five or more All-Pro teams, joining Jahri Evans, a finalist for this year's Hall of Fame class, Drew Brees, who has a spot reserved waiting for him in Canton, and Rickey Jackson, Morten Andersen, and Willie Roaf. Those three of course already in the Hall of Fame.

We don't know if Demario Davis will end up with a bust in Canton, but it does start to get you thinking when looking at those other New Orleans Saints legends. Both he, and Rashid Shaheed, are deserving of their flowers, and we're more than happy to contribute to their bouquet with an offer of congrats.