Richard Sherman names Antonio Brown MVP in mock ballot

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is seldom effusive in his praise for wide receivers, but he believes Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown is worthy of the league's highest individual honor.

Sherman was asked to submit a mock awards ballot for The MMQB, and the results were made public Friday.

Surprisingly, he voted Brown for NFL MVP over prohibitive favorite Cam Newton, with Carson Palmer, Russell Wilson, and Adrian Peterson rounding out his top five.

Brown recorded 136 receptions for 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping the Steelers claim the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC.

In the two teams' lone encounter this year, he caught six passes for 51 yards, so it's likely Sherman was swayed by his larger body of work.

Sherman's ballot appeared to be largely impartial, although he did select Seahawks general manager John Schneider for Executive of the Year, and Tyler Lockett for Offensive Rookie of the Year.