Kevin Byard NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Titans Rookie

POSITIVES

With 19 career interceptions, Kevin Byard has the ball skills few strong safeties show. With a thick, powerful frame, he has the tools to get on the field as a three-down player.

Byard did a little bit of everything for MTSU, playing deep and over the top of the offense and also stepping down into the box to take on the run. That’s how you get 19 interceptions as well as a reputation as a solid tackler. A four-time all-conference player in the Sun Belt and Conference USA, Byard serves as a leader in the secondary who handles assignments and alignments pre-snap.

Fast and smooth coming out of his breaks, he has the closing speed to get to the ball working both up toward the line of scrimmage and deep coming out of a back pedal. He has the instincts and awareness to find the ball and the athleticism to get there in a hurry. A big player with great length (33 ½”) and a big vertical jump (38”), Byard is one of the best-kept secrets in the draft.

NEGATIVES

When asked to play in deep coverage or match up in one-on-ones with speed players, Byard can get lost and struggle to keep pace. He had 4.44 speed at his pro day timing but doesn’t play to that with pads on.

At 212 pounds, you expect to see Byard come downhill and knock around running backs, and while he had a high number of tackles, he didn’t make a big impact in the run game. He had a reputation coming into Senior Bowl week as a hitter but didn't display it during the week of practices.

Byard’s skills project well to the NFL given his range and size, but his hip turns and feet must get quicker when working in his backpedal. Byard isn’t tall, but he will lose balance in his backpedal and start standing up to a stiff position.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 212 lbs.

40 Time: 4.46s

3-Cone: 6.73s

Short Shuttle: 4.15s

PRO COMPARISON: Barry Church, Dallas Cowboys
FINAL GRADE: 5.75/9.00 (Round 4—Backup Caliber)