AP

Some of the 2014 PFT award winners will be difficult to select. This isn’t one of them.

Texans defensive end J.J. Watt played defense so well that he has generated significant consideration for the league MVP award, something only two other defensive players ever have accomplished: Lawrence Taylor in 1986 and Alan Page in 1971.

Watt racked up 20.5 sacks as a defensive end in a 3-4 system that supposedly would reduce his role as a pass rusher. It didn’t. (Or maybe it did, and he would have gotten 30 sacks in Wade Phillips’ version of the 3-4.)

Watt also had a safety, an interception (returned for a touchdown), four forced fumbles, and 10 passes defensed.

So, yes, Watt is the runaway winner of the PFT defensive player of the year award. Other finalists were Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (22.0 sacks), Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy, and Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman.

Cast a ballot below for your own pick. Watt’s percentage likely will match the number he wears.