1. Kevin Byard
Who else? The Mayor of Murfreesboro sits atop this list, and it’s not even all that close. Kevin Byard is the most talented safety of the decade, and yet his current accolades do not do him justice.
After starting seven games in what was a decent rookie season, Byard earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2017. The former MTSU ball-hawk finished tied for a league-high eight interceptions and added 16 passes defended. As a bonus, Byard tallied 87 combined tackles —good for third among his teammates.
Subsequently, Byard has continued his dominance as one of the premier safeties in the NFL. His ability to track the football in the air is uncanny, and opposing quarterbacks should fear to throw the ball his way.
Since 2017, Byard leads the league in interceptions with 16 and is always a deflection or a poor decision away from making a game-changing play. That’s what stars do, and Byard is elite.