Titans safeties among highest-graded in coverage through 8 games

The Tennessee Titans had several issues in the secondary during the 2020 season, leading to a massive overhaul of the group in 2021.

One part of that overhaul was promoting 2019 fourth-round pick and safety, Amani Hooker, to a starting role next to veteran safety Kevin Byard. So far, that tandem has done well, especially in coverage.

According to Pro Football Focus, both Byard and Hooker rank in the top five in coverage grade among safeties, with Byard at No. 2 with 90.0, and Hooker at No. 5 with an 80.2. Byard’s grade is third among all defensive backs.

Byard’s ranking carries a little more weight seeing as how he has played in every game and Hooker has missed five, but this is impressive nonetheless.

Byard is seeing a resurgence in his career after a down 2020, as not only has he been sensational in coverage with 10 passes defensed, but he has also nabbed five turnovers, including four interceptions and a fumble recovery that resulted in a defensive touchdown.

His four picks and 10 passes defensed are both tied for the second-most in the NFL.

Byard came up big for the Titans in the Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts. His overtime interception set the Titans up for a game-winning field goal.

It was redemption for Byard, whose pass interference helped push the game to overtime in the first place. Regardless, Byard is back to playing at an All-Pro level and it has provided a major boost to Tennessee’s defense.

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