John McClain: Predicting the NFL season-ending awards

After the regular season concludes each year, members of The Associated Press All-Pro committee cast their ballots for the official All-Pro Team as well as the individual honors that’ll be announced on the NFL Honors show before Super Bowl LVII.

As someone who voted on the AP All-Pro Team for more than 30 years, I know the committee – including members of the media as well as former players, coaches and executives — will put a lot of time and effort into making decisions they know mean so much to those who are honored.

If I were still voting on the postseason honors, here’s the ballot I would turn in.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

With Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts missing two of the last three games of the regular season because of injuries, Mahomes eases into the top spot, and nobody else is really close. The Chiefs earned home-field advantage in the playoffs. Playing without his favorite receiver, Tyreek Hill, Mahomes has been outstanding with 41 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions, and a 105.2 rating.

HONORABLE MENTION

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, Bills QB Josh Allen, Bengals QB Joe Burrow.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings

He has 128 catches for 1,809 yards (14.1 average) and eight touchdowns for a team that’s improved from 8-9 to 13-4 and has won the NFC North. Jefferson is best in the clutch. He’s second in third-down receptions with 29 and averages 16.4 yards a catch. His five touchdowns on third down are the most in the league.

HONORABLE MENTION

Davante Adams, WR, Raiders. Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders. Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Nick Bosa, DE, 49ers

The best pass rusher in the NFL for a defense that’s allowed the fewest yards and the fewest points per game. He leads the league with a career-best 18½ sacks in 16 games. He’s recorded at least one sack in 13 games. He also has 48 hits on the quarterback and 19 tackles for loss.

HONORABLE MENTION

Micah Parsons, OLB, Cowboys, Haason Reddick, OLB, Eagles, Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Steelers.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks

In 15 games and 11 starts, he’s rushed for 1050 yards, averaged 4.6 yards a carry, and has scored nine touchdowns for a surprising team that made the playoffs. He also has 27 catches.

HONORABLE MENTION

Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets. Drake London, WR, Falcons. Chris Olave, WR, Saints.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Lions.

Jets’ cornerback Sauce Gardner has been terrific, too, and gets most of the hype for this award, but not only does Hutchinson have 9½ sacks for the vastly improved Lions, but he’s also intercepted three passes. Gardner has two interceptions. Hutchinson also plays the run well.

HONORABLE MENTION

Sauce Gardner, CB, Jets. Tariq Woolen, CB, Seahawks, Jalen Pitre, S, Texans.

COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Geno Smith, quarterback, Seahawks

Only Pete Carroll showed faith in Smith to have the best season of his career in place of Russell Wilson. Smith has 30 touchdown passes, 11 interceptions, and a 100.9 rating for the Seahawks, who have a chance to make the playoffs. He also is exceptional on third down (104.6 rating) and in the fourth quarter (107.0).

HONORABLE MENTION

Derrick Henry, RB, Titans. J.J. Watt, DE, Cardinals. Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Doug Pederson, Jaguars.

In his first season, Pederson has guided the Jaguars from a 3-14 record to 9-8 and the AFC South crown. That would be a six-game improvement. Pederson has done a splendid job coaching second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence. They’ve defeated three playoff teams — Cowboys, Ravens, and Chargers.

HONORABLE MENTION

Brian Daboll, Giants. Dan Campbell, Lions. Kyle Shanahan, 49ers. Nick Siriani, Eagles. Pete Carroll, Seahawks. Kevin O’Connell, Vikings. Mike Tomlin, Steelers.

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Howie Roseman, Eagles.

Nobody in any front office can match Roseman’s excellent offseason that’s paid off in the regular season. Trading for receiver A.J. Brown and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and signing outside linebacker Haason Reddick and cornerback James Bradberry have put the Eagles in position to win another Super Bowl.

HONORABLE MENTION

John Lynch, 49ers. Joe Schoen, Giants. Brandon Beane, Bills. Brett Veach, Chiefs. John Schneider, Seahawks.

(John McClain writes four columns a week for GallerySports.com. He can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He does three weekly Houtopia podcasts for 610. He also can be read three times a week on SportsRadio610.com).