Kevin Byard: Defensive Player of the Year
It isn’t often you can stake a claim to one player being the absolute best at their position in the NFL, but that is the case with Byard. Along with Landry, the Titans have at least two legit Defensive Player of the Year candidates if all goes well.
A tackle machine during his career, Byard’s nose for the ball is unmatched when you combine said tackles with his interception totals. The Titans safety has averaged six picks through the last two seasons and tied for the NFL lead in interceptions in 2017.
And he’s still getting better, which should worry every offense in the league.
Having upped his tackle total in each of his three seasons, Byard culminated 2019 with 90, his highest total as a pro. Should he continue that trend in 2019, Byard could hit triple-digits in tackles, while also posting double-digit pass defended (16 in 2017 and eight in 2018).
There is literally nothing this man can’t do, and any defender who can play at an elite level and fill-up a stat sheet like Byard can will no doubt garner Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
The 2019 season will not only be the year Byard gets paid like the best, he’ll further prove that he actually is the best. Titans fans know how special of a player they have at safety in Tennessee, now it’s time for the whole world to realize exactly what they might be missing.