5 worst Tennessee Titans takes from the offseason

NASHVILLE, TN- SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans scores a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the first half at Nissan Stadium on September 10, 2017 In Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) )
NASHVILLE, TN- SEPTEMBER 10: Quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans scores a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the first half at Nissan Stadium on September 10, 2017 In Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) ) /
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Tennessee Titans safety, Kevin Byard.
Tennessee Titans safety, Kevin Byard. /

Kevin Byard snubbed on NFL Top 100 list

This wound is more recent and might hurt more than anything else. That’s because Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard was snubbed from the NFL Top 100 list that is voted on by the players themselves.

Other Titans such as running back Derrick Henry, defensive lineman Jurrell Casey, and left tackle Taylor Lewan all made the list. Arguably the best player on defense in Tennessee and the best safety in the NFL, Byard, did not.

There were five safeties in total on the NFL Top 100, and I’d argue Byard is better than all of them after Pro Football Focus ranked him as the No. 4 safety in the NFL last season, and the No. 4 safety coming into 2019.

The former First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler has more picks than any defensive back in the league the past two seasons and recently became the highest-paid player at his position in NFL history.

As our own Will Lomas pointed out, it’s just blatant disrespect to not put Byard on this list. Perhaps the league should figure out a better way to put this thing together after a truly great player has been left off.

It’s OK, though. Those of us who watch the Titans know just how special Byard is, and we’ll continue to push his name as the best until he gets the recognition he deserves. After all, that respect clearly isn’t coming from analysts, or even his own peers.