Titans Safety Kevin Byard Named First Team All-Pro…

NASHVILLE – Titans safety Kevin Byard has been named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

Byard received 41 of 50 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league.

Last month, Byard was the team’s only player named to the Pro Bowl.

Byard was previously voted first-team All-Pro by AP and the Pro Football Writers Association at the end of the 2017 season. He was second-team All-Pro by PFWA in 2018.

Also, Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons has been named second team All-Pro by the Associated Press. Simmons received 10 of 50 votes, finishing behind Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams, 50; Cam Heyward of the Steelers, 19; and Chris Jones, of the Chiefs, 10.

A three-time captain, Byard started all 17 games for the Titans in 2021. He finished the regular season with a team-high 88 tackles, five interceptions, and 13 passes defensed. Byard’s five interceptions led the Titans, and he was tied for fourth in the NFL. Byard led or tied for the team lead in passes defensed in five of the team’s 17 games.

Byard returned an interception for a touchdown in the team’s win against the Rams, and he returned a fumble for a touchdown in the team’s win at Jacksonville. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month in October after registering 27 tackles, three interceptions, along with the two touchdowns.

In addition to Byard and Simmons, long snapper Morgan Cox (4) and guard Rodger Saffold (1) also got at least one vote for All-Pro.

The Titans will open the playoffs in the Divisional Round the weekend of January 22-23 at Nissan Stadium.

The results of The Associated Press 2021 NFL All-Pro balloting as selected by a national panel of 50 media members:

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, 34; Tom Brady, Tampa Bay, 16.

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis, 50.

Mark Andrews, Baltimore, 41; Travis Kelce, Kansas City, 9.

Davante Adams, Green Bay, 50; Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams, 50; Deebo Samuel, San Francisco, 21; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota, 20; Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati, 9.

Trent Williams, San Francisco, 46; Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers, 2; Orlando Brown Jr., Kansas City, 1; Tyron Smith, Dallas, 1.

Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay, 37; Lane Johnson, Philadelphia, 10; Brian O’Neill, Minnesota, 3.

Joel Bitonio, Cleveland, 28; Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis, 13; Joe Thuney, Kansas City, 6; Ali Marpet, Tampa Bay, 2; Rodger Saffold, Tennessee, 1.

Zack Martin, Dallas, 46; Wyatt Teller, Cleveland, 2; Shaq Mason, New England, 1; Brandon Scherff, Washington, 1.

Jason Kelce, Philadelphia, 21; Corey Linsley, Los Angeles Chargers, 11; Creed Humphrey, Kansas City, 10; Ryan Jensen, Tampa Bay, 5; Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis, 3.

T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh, 50; Myles Garrett, Cleveland, 29; Robert Quinn, Chicago, 9; Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas, 6; Nick Bosa, San Francisco, 5; Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers, 1.

Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams, 50; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh, 19; Chris Jones, Kansas City, 10; Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee, 10; DeForest Buckner, Indianapolis, 5; Kenny Clark, Green Bay, 2; Vita Vea, Tampa Bay, 2; Jonathan Allen, Washington, 2.

Micah Parsons, Dallas, 46; Darius Leonard, Indianapolis, 44; De’Vondre Campbell, Green Bay, 18; Demario Davis, New Orleans, 10; Roquan Smith, Chicago, 10; Bobby Wagner, Seattle, 7; Lavonte David, Tampa Bay, 3; Matthew Judon, New England, 3; Denzel Perryman, Las Vegas, 2; Foye Oluokun, Atlanta, 2; C.J. Mosley, New York Jets, 1; Jordyn Brooks, Seattle, 1; Devin White, Tampa Bay, 1; Matt Milano, Buffalo, 1; Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo, 1.

Trevon Diggs, Dallas, 33; Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams, 32; J.C. Jackson, New England, 25; A.J. Terrell, Atlanta, 8; Darius Slay, Philadelphia, 1; Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans, 1.

Kevin Byard, Tennessee, 41; Jordan Poyer, Buffalo, 12; Budda Baker, Arizona, 10; Justin Simmons, Denver, 10; Micah Hyde, Buffalo, 10; Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers, 5; Quandre Diggs, Seattle, 3; Marcus Williams, New Orleans, 3; Adrian Phillips, New England, 2; Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay, 1; Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh, 1; Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City, 1; Harrison Smith, Minnesota, 1.

Justin Tucker, Baltimore, 40; Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas, 8; Nick Folk, New England, 1; Matt Gay, Los Angeles Rams, 1.

AJ Cole, Las Vegas, 21; Bryan Anger, Dallas 18; Michael Dickson, Seattle, 5; Logan Cooke, Jacksonville, 3; Sam Martin, Denver, 1; Johnny Hekker, Los Angeles Rams, 1; Cameron Johnson, Houston, 1.

Braxton Berrios, New York Jets, 27; Andre Roberts, Los Angeles Chargers, 13; Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota, 7; Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo, 1; Jakeem Grant, Chicago, 1; Devin Duvernay, Baltimore, 1.

Devin Duvernay, Baltimore, 28; Jakeem Grant, Chicago, 20; Braxton Berrios, New York Jets, 2.

J.T. Gray, New Orleans, 18; Matthew Slater, New England, 10; Ashton Dulin, Indianapolis, 10; Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh, 3; Matt Adams, Indianapolis, 3; Frankie Luvu, Carolina, 2; E.J. Speed, Indianapolis, 1; Nick Bellore, Seattle 1; Derek Watt, Pittsburgh, 1.

Luke Rhodes, Indianapolis, 22; Josh Harris, Atlanta, 12; Morgan Cox, Tennessee, 4; Trent Sieg, Las Vegas, 4; Nick Moore, Baltimore, 3; Joe Cardona, New England, 3.

x-one voter did not select a special teamer.

y-two voters did not select long snappers.