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Atlanta Falcons 2016 Draft Profile: Kevin Byard

By Raekwon Gilbert

Sep 12, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders safety Kevin Byard (20) reacts after intercepting the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders safety Kevin Byard (20) reacts after intercepting the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Imagine working hard during workouts in high school then having to come home to help raise younger siblings till your mother came home around nine or 10 at night. Imagine being recruited out of high school as a backup plan by a low-level talent school in the SEC conference and still not join the team.

Imagine starting in 49 games throughout your college career and rank first in interceptions (19), first in interception return yards (377), first interception return touchdowns (4), and still not be invited to the 2016 NFL scouting combine.

Yeah, welcome to Kevin Byard’s life…

A versatile defender for the Blue Raiders and the leader of their program, Byard has gathered a great amount of buzz in the past few weeks, especially during the Senior Bowl. He has exceptional sideline to sideline speed but his understanding of playing coverages showcases his outstanding instincts.

Player: Rsr FS Kevin Byard 

Measurements: 5-11 223lbs 

Draft Stock: 2nd-4th round 

Many fans will look at his size, 5-foot-11, 223 pounds, and think that he’ll move to the strong safety position. But his ability to track the ball downfield fits better for him to be a single-high safety.

While at Middle Tennessee, Byard was named a first team All C-USA team honoree last year and has also been on the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List two years in a row. Since his redshirted freshman year, Byard has started 37 straight games. Over the past three seasons, Byard has accounted for 246 tackles, 19 interceptions, 11 PBUs, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Byard, who has history in high school of playing wide receiver,  is one of the better free safeties in the draft when it comes to understanding timing and where to be when the ball is in the air. There are some things you just can’t teach a player and Byard’s ability to be at the right place at the right time can’t be taught.

During one-on-one’s at the Senior Bowl, he looked more of a corner than safety and is very comfortable moving backwards downfield. He’s very patient when progressing his reads and vocal with his teammates. Just from watching film, you can understand that he has the respect of his teammates at both Middle Tennessee and at the Senior Bowl. He also interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons after day one of practice.

Byard versatility and range is going to be a huge aspect that scouts look at when evaluating players. In terms for the Atlanta Falcons, Byard could easily be slotted into the nickel safety or strong safety position and excel in coverage.

Next: Five positions the Falcons must address in free agency

To see Byard drafted anywhere between the second and third round would be a great insight on Dan Quinn’s vision for the defense but there are bigger needs for the team at linebacker and along the offensive and defensive lines. How the Falcons attack free agency will affect how the team draft needs look in the future.

Either way, Kevin Byard is a name that Falcons fans should watch for the next few weeks.