Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard came in towards the top of a recent survey done by ESPN in which players, executives, and coaches from around the league are polled to name the top 10 players at every position from around the league.

According to the author, Jeremy Fowler, the goal of the survey is to “identify the best players right now for 2022.This is not a five-year projection or an achievement award. Who are the best players today? Pretty simple.”

Earlier this week, the Titans got some love when running back Derrick Henry was named the best in the game by his peers. Vindicating, for sure, but nothing new to a Titans fan who watches him run the ball every Sunday.

Now, it’s Kevin Byard’s turn in the spotlight. Byard (who was ranked 7th in the same poll last year) also got some love and took a jump to the number three slot on the list while receiving votes as high as number one.

The two safeties rated above Byard were Justin Simmons (DEN) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (PIT).

Now the only question is: Should he have been number one?

While nothing but good things were said about Byard, it still makes me wonder if he gets the credit he really deserves. Here’s what his peers had to say:

3. Kevin Byard, Tennessee Titans

Age: 28 | Last year's ranking: 7

Byard put together another huge season for the Titans, leading all safeties with 13 passes defended and tying for the league-lead at the position with five interceptions. His ball production is elite, with 2021 marking his third NFL season with at least five picks — and his total of 23 is more than any other safety since 2017.

"Consistency in coverage separates him — he's got rare instincts, always around the ball," an AFC scout said. "I think that position is the toss-up year-to-year with those top couple of guys, but he's been the most consistent over the last few years in my opinion."

"I really wanted to put [Byard] number 1. He's been that good."

– ANONYMOUS AFC DEFENSIVE COACH

That really says it all. Byard put together a monster season in 2021, and has consistently been at the top of the game since he entered the league. In terms of ball hawking and playmaking abilities, it’s hard to see anybody being put above him.

For a list that claims to rank players “right now”, it's odd that Byard would be third when it seems as if he is coming off of the most impactful and decorated season of anybody on the list. As listed in the article from ESPN, Byard was the leader at the position in both interceptions and passes defended.

Carson Wentz connects with Kevin Byard in OT ?
pic.twitter.com/cbpkX1aXEE

— PFF (@PFF) October 31, 2021

Interception and pass deflection numbers aside, Byard NextGen stats speak even more to his greatness. When NFL.com used NextGen stats to gauge the top 10 coverage players in the NFL, Byard was the only safety to make the list.

While Simmons has exceptional size and Fitzpatrick has a shiny new contract to his name, neither player has been more impactful in a secondary than Byard. His versatility and leadership have been essential pieces to the Titans continued success during the Vrabel era.

If you ask me, Byard belongs at number one until proven otherwise.

Image via Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports