Patriots Land Only 3 on NFL Players Association's Top 115

New England's Marcus Jones, Matthew Slater and Matthew Judon were voted by the NFL Players Association among the Top 5 at their position.

In the spirit of chicken-and-egg, which came first:

A New England Patriots team that missed the playoffs because it had few elite players?

Or a few elite players failing to elevate the New England Patriots to the playoffs?

Either way, the NFL's awards season continues to be as disappointing for the Pats as was their 8-9 record. After landing no players on the inaugural All-Pro team voted on by the NFL Players Association, just three Patriots were included among the Top 5 at each position.

Rookie Marcus Jones was voted the league's No. 2 punt returner, Matthew Slater No. 4 as core special teams player, and Matthew Judon No. 5 at edge rusher. 

Translation: Bill Belichick was trying to make ends meet in 2022 with - according to their peers - only three of the NFL's top 115 players.

Only Jones landed on the Associated Press All-Pro Team, and quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe couldn't even beat out underwhelming the Baltimore Ravens' Tyler Huntley for a spot in the "re-imagined" Pro Bowl Games.

Jones became the first player since Deion Sanders to score a touchdown on defense, offense and special teams. Slater concluded his 15th year on the Pats, including 12 as a captain. Despite recording 15.5 sacks and leading a defense that produced a league-leading seven touchdowns, Judon finished behind Nick Bosa (49ers), Myles Garrett (Browns), Maxx Crosby (Raiders) and Micah Parsons (Cowboys) at his position.

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