Tennessee Titans All-pro safety Kevin Byard was recently recognized by his fellow NFL players on the NFL Network Top 100 Players list.
The list is an annual tradition that dates back to 2011, based off of a survey conducted with the players around the league.
Byard, a two-time Pro-Bowler and two-time All-Pro safety, was ranked as the 80th best player in the league in the summer of 2018. That marks his first, best, and only appearance on the list in his career. .
Until now.
The NFL released on Sunday afternoon that Byard is all the way up to number 34 on this year’s list after not making any appearances over the last three seasons.
The Mayor of Murfreesboro himself, @KevinByard clocks in at No. 3️⃣4️⃣ on the #NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/eOaNlOcQ8v
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 21, 2022
Byard’s ranking is also significant because he earned the distinction of being the best ranked safety in the entire league.
Here’s a look at what some of his peers had to say when asked about Byard:
THE top safety on the #NFLTop100 @KevinByard
📺: Watch #NFLTop100 on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/A8sX5Fwjex
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 21, 2022
“Byard’s one of the best safeties in the game. He’s top shelf. Range, communication, anticipation, and he’s a football dude. He loves the game.”
– Tyrann Mathieu on Titans safety Kevin Byard
“Really good player. Obviously, he got me last year. Can play all different spots. Fits in that defense so perfectly. Physical, fast, good ball skills…everything you’d want.”
– Matthew Stafford on Titans safety Kevin Byard
Byard has nabbed 23 interceptions in a Titans uniform since the start of the 2017 season. That’s more than any other safety in the league over that time. He also led the Titans in tackles in each of the last two seasons.
The NFL Top 100 list is where he belongs, and it’s nice to see players around the league finally recognizing Byard for the playmaker and leader that he is.
A game-changing talent that’s still on the rise.
Image via Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports