Kevin Byard
2018 Stats: 90 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 8 Pass Breakups, 4 Interceptions.
The Mayor of Murfreesboro is undoubtedly the heart and soul of this Titans defense going into the 2019 season. Kevin Byard signed the richest contract for a safety in NFL history this offseason.
Most players who sign that type of contract earn the right to rest during special teams. Byard is not like most players, though. Byard’s leadership skills are on full display when he takes the field as the personal protector on punt team.
The league’s highest-paid safety also takes a lot of pride in special teams.@KB31_Era sees it as a point of leadership: “Like, ‘Hey, I’m a veteran guy. I just got paid but I’m still doing special teams. So if you’re not locked in on special teams, what are you out here doing?” pic.twitter.com/Uj4P71Geqc
— Erik Bacharach (@ErikBacharach) August 22, 2019
Make no mistake about it, Byard may be a great punt protector, but he was rewarded because he is arguably the best safety in the league. The former Middle Tennessee State star took over as a full-time starter in 2017 and has not looked back since.
Byard has been the best safety in the NFL for the last three seasons. Since 2017, he leads the league in interceptions (12) and passes defensed (24).
Don’t just take my word for it:
https://twitter.com/pff/status/1123252434653069313?s=21
Titans safety Kevin Byard is a star.
— Mark Chichester (@PFF_Chichester) July 25, 2019
Among the 142 safeties who’ve been targeted at least 100 times in the PFF era, Byard’s 65.4 passer rating allowed ranks 11th, while his 19.1% forced incompletion percentage ranks second to only Ed Reed.
A well-deserved payday! pic.twitter.com/MMTJPqCL7t
#Titans FS Kevin Byard has earned a three-year coverage grade of 91.2, which is the second best mark ever recorded by a safety, per @PFF_Titans. pic.twitter.com/tWfsWKwUCY
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) July 28, 2019
Byard has consistently improved every aspect of his game every single year.
If he does that once again in 2019, he will continue to separate himself as the best safety in the NFL, while simultaneously being the anchor for one of, if not the best, defense in the National Football League.