Kevin Byard Trade Grade: Eagles Fleece Titans for All-Pro Safety
Don’t trade with Eagles GM Howie Roseman.
That should be a sign posted in all 31 NFL buildings outside of Philadelphia. Apparently the workers inside the Titans’ facility haven’t gotten around to hanging it up.
During the opening night of the 2022 NFL draft, Tennessee traded A.J. Brown to the Eagles for first- and third-round picks, and Brown finished with an Eagles franchise record for receiving yards in a season in 2022 (1,496). And he’s on pace this season to finish with 1,955 yards.
Now the Eagles acquired All-Pro safety Kevin Byard from the Titans on Monday in exchange for 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks, along with fellow safety Terrell Edmunds. Edmunds has only this year remaining on his contract before being slated for free agency.
The Eagles addressed a weak spot in the back end of their defense with the addition of Byard.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY Sports
In Byard, Philadelphia addresses the middle of the field, which has been a weak spot in coverage. The Eagles rank 18th against the pass, allowing 227.4 yards per game against. Byard, 30, will help bolster the secondary, one that lost both starting safeties from last year’s conference championship roster, Marcus Epps and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
For the Eagles, it’s an opportunity to add before the Oct. 31 trade deadline. Roseman had a full complement of draft picks at his disposal and was able to fit Byard’s contract into his cap sheet, making it an easy decision to give up only a pair of Day 3 picks along with Edmunds.
As for Byard, he is due the $2.35 million in prorated base salary the rest of the year before Philadelphia will make a decision on his $9.6 million number for 2024. In the meantime, the Eagles will get a two-time, first-team All-Pro who can help them return to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year and the third time in seven seasons.
This year Byard has played in six games, notching 47 tackles along with a fumble recovery. Over his eight-year career, he has been extremely durable, never missing a game.
There’s an argument that the Eagles, at 6–1, are already the best team in what appears to be a two-team NFC race. Now their biggest weakness becomes passable at worst and a strength at best, with Byard patrolling the deep middle.
Eagles grade: A
For the Titans, it’s a meager return. General manager Ran Carthon traded away one of his best players who was signed for this year and next, and yet didn’t receive a key player or a top-125 draft pick. While all draft capital is good for an organization clearly headed toward a rebuild, it also seems like a light package.
However, one thing is clear in Nashville: The Titans are 2–4 and going nowhere fast. They have to start amassing draft assets in the hopes of building back and eventually competing with the Jaguars in the AFC South. With Byard an aging veteran, he likely wouldn’t be part of that equation.
If Carthon can turn one or both of those picks into quality players, it’s a decent deal. If not, the trade becomes what it appears to be in the moment: a lopsided deal that favors the Eagles.
Titans grade: D+
