ScoutIndex

NE NE

Kevin Byard

FS

A 3rd-round pick (64th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Middle Tennessee State, Kevin Byard has built an NFL career since. He's currently with NE, in his 11th season in the league. He graded out among the best DEFs in the league last season — a 69.8 ScoutIndex Rating, the 90th percentile at the position. Across 11 NFL seasons, he has totaled 66 passing yards and 1 touchdown.

Size

5'11", 212#

College

Middle Tennessee State

Draft

Rd 3, 64th overall (2016)

Seasons

2016–2026

2021 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
76.5

95th percentile among DEFs

17 games

Splash plays×0.15+2.21
Pass rush×0.3-0.31
Ball skills×0.25+3.09
Run defense×0.2-0.22
Availability×0.1+1.40

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026NE45.86
2025CHI69.817
2024CHI63.817
2023TEN4616
2022TEN54.617
2021TEN76.517
2020TEN53.516
2019TEN58.116111
2018TEN64.216661
2017TEN70.116
2016TEN54.316

Career profile

Kevin Byard has appeared in 170 regular-season games across 11 NFL seasons on file, playing for 3 teams: TEN (2016–2023), CHI (2024–2025), NE (2026).

As a passer he has thrown for 66 yards and 1 touchdown with 0 interceptions. As a receiver he has caught 1 pass for 11 yards and 0 touchdowns. His most productive passing season was 2018 with TEN: 66 yards and 1 touchdown in 16 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2021: a 76.5, in the 95th percentile among DEFs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2021 splits

regular season

2021 game log

WkOppLineScore
PostseasonCIN——
Week 1ARI—70.7
Week 2SEA—40.5
Week 3IND—60
Week 4NYJ—51.6
Week 5JAX—73.8
Week 6BUF—64.4
Week 7KC—58.2
Week 8IND—69.5
Week 9LAR—84
Week 10NO—50
Week 11HOU—42.4
Week 12NE—81.7
Week 14JAX—49.4
Week 15PIT—41.3
Week 16SF—58.6
Week 17MIA—40.2
Week 18HOU—42.2

Kevin Byard — common questions

What position does Kevin Byard play?
Kevin Byard is listed as an FS.
Which teams has Kevin Byard played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Kevin Byard has played for TEN (2016–2023), CHI (2024–2025), NE (2026).
Where did Kevin Byard go to college?
Kevin Byard played college football at Middle Tennessee State.
When was Kevin Byard drafted?
Kevin Byard was selected in round 3, 64th overall, of the 2016 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Kevin Byard scored?
Kevin Byard has 1 touchdown in the regular-season games on file (1 passing).
What is Kevin Byard's ScoutIndex Rating?
Kevin Byard rated 45.8 for 2026, the 47th percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 3, 2016

Also from Middle Tennessee State