Top 10 NFL ballhawks in 2021: Kevin Byard, Trevon Diggs among those making plays

Byard's play has had a lot to do with the defensive leap that Tennessee has made over the past month or so. He's recorded four of his five interceptions in the last five games, and he's posted the second-highest ballhawk rate in the entire league in the last four weeks (minimum 10 targets in that span of time), per Next Gen Stats. No one has done more to improve their team's chances, based on the fact that Byard owns the best targeted-expected-points-added figure in the NFL since Week 9 (-22.1) -- Byard is also tied with Trevon Diggs for the best mark in that department for the season (-29.1). As the last line of defense, safeties tend to be the nearest defender on scoring plays and often get dinged for touchdowns allowed, which explains Byard's three touchdowns allowed. But the quality of the overall body of work is undeniable, and Byard's ballhawk rate of 39.3 percent (including 38.9 percent as the nearest defender in off coverage) is the best in the league by a significant margin. He's stepping up when it counts, and the Titans have benefitted tremendously.

Diggs sprinted to the forefront of the nation's football consciousness this season with his plays on the ball, so it's no surprise to see him here. Diggs remains the league leader in interceptions with seven, which he recorded in his first six games, and he's used his greatest strength -- his innate ability to attack the ball -- to become a key defender for the Cowboys. Since we're discussing precisely those who are the best at playing the pass when it arrives in their vicinity, Diggs' placement on this list is a no-brainer. He ranks fourth in ballhawk rate (minimum 25 targets) at 26.1 percent and has allowed a completion percentage over expected of -12.5 percent, as well as an opposing passer rating of 55.3. His 12 passes defensed are tied for the most in the league, and with 46 targets as the nearest defender, Diggs is getting his fair share of attention. He's risen to the challenge in only his second NFL season.

Jackson's been a standout in the last couple of seasons, but the same question always lingered: Is his success just a byproduct of being able to play opposite Stephon Gilmore? Well, New England moved Jackson to the front of the register line this season -- and so far, he's checked out. Gilmore missed the Patriots' first seven games and was eventually traded to Carolina, and in the meantime, Jackson elevated himself to bona fide No. 1 corner status, intercepting five passes (tied for second most in the NFL, with Byard) while also posting a top-nine ballhawk rate (20%), thanks to his 12 passes defensed (tied with Diggs for most in the league). Jackson's Next Gen Stats resume passes every test: He's allowed a completion percentage over expected of -6.5 and an opposing passer rating of 50.3 when targeted as the nearest defender. The Patriots are playing quality football on defense, and Jackson has been leading the way.

Safeties typically aren't targeted enough to meet the minimums I set to filter through these players, but Simmons has gotten enough attention from opposing offenses to be the second safety to make the cut -- and he's certainly done enough otherwise to deserve it. He's proving his recent contract extension worth its weight in dollars, recording the fifth-highest ballhawk rate in the entire league at 24.1 percent (with 29 targets as the nearest defender). Teams attempting to find weaknesses in the seams are running into frequent resistance from Simmons, who owns a 20 percent balhawk rate as the nearest defender in coverage when targeting receivers aligned in the slot. That's the best mark in the league by more than 2 percentage points (minimum of 15 targets). Overall, Simmons is denying expected completions at a rate of 6 percent, and he's reduced opponents' scoring opportunities by 5.1 points. All of this from a safety playing on a defense that has weathered multiple injuries (and the departure of its best pass-rusher, Von Miller, via trade). That's worthy of recognition.

Tampa Bay has dealt with a handful of injuries in its secondary, including to Dean, but that has not kept the corner from playing effectively in 2021. Dean has consistently denied opposing offenses expected completions, recording a completion percentage allowed over expectation of -13.7 percent on 36 targets. He's snagged two interceptions and has seven total passes defensed, which gives him a ballhawk rate near 20 percent (19.4). Dean has created his own no-fly zone downfield this season, logging the sixth-best ballhawk rate as the nearest defender in coverage on downfield targets (38.5%). He's also among the league's top defensive backs when it comes to eliminating opposing scoring opportunities on a per-play basis, posting a targeted EPA of -14.2 on the year. That's Super Bowl-caliber cornerback play.

I initially had Ramsey ninth on this list due to a relatively low ballhawk rate (15.7 percent, 10th of the players here), but this is likely related to volume (Ramsey's been targeted 51 times, second among the players here). Plus, the value of a play on the ball should be considered. Of Ramsey's eight recorded plays on the ball, three have produced interceptions. As a result, Ramsey owns a targeted EPA of -6.4, a 57.8 opposing passer rating allowed and a completion percentage allowed over expectation of -4.2. All three of his interceptions have come on downfield targets, meaning he's robbing opponents of their dreams of big-play touchdowns. Ramsey is one of the best corners in the league, and this ranking shouldn't be taken as an overall judgment of where he stands among defensive backs. It's simply a reflection of the type of defender he's been in 2021 when it comes to making plays on the ball -- and sixth is still pretty damn good.

Terrell is another player who has come on strong as of late, recording four passes defensed in the last month for the third best ballhawk rate in the league in that span. He rose to the occasion in Atlanta's upset win over New Orleans, recording a handful of passes defensed at a rate frequent enough to elicit praise from the game's broadcast team. The performance stood as an example of a young corner's development, and that growth, combined with his production over the season -- 59.5 passer rating allowed, 23.1 percent ballhawk rate and an eye-popping -21.4 completion percentage over expected allowed -- was enough to elevate him into my top 10 ballhawks. It's only the beginning for Terrell.

Fulton isn't seeing quite the same volume of targets as some of the other defenders on this list, but he's consistently preventing passes thrown in his direction from being completed. Fulton has allowed a completion percentage over expected of -9.6 percent and an opposing passer rating of just 61.7, and he owns a ballhawk rate of 20 percent (the same as J.C. Jackson). Add in an interception, and you have a young corner consistently affecting the ability of opposing offenses to complete passes in his direction, taking away scoring opportunities at a rate similar to that of Jalen Ramsey's -6.4 (-4.5 total EPA for Fulton). 

Wallace has seen a healthy amount of targets (44), and he has largely responded, posting a ballhawk rate of 15.9 percent while also allowing an opposing passer rating of 78.3. Wallace's effective play has become a common theme in Bills games this season, as he's part of a secondary that includes three corners excelling (Tre'Davious White and Taron Johnson being the other two). His Next Gen numbers are comparable to those of Dean -- and he's posting them while occupying the unenviable role of playing corner opposite a legitimate star in White, meaning he's most likely to be targeted by teams looking to throw away from White. Their target totals are nearly even (46 for White), and Wallace has been more active in making plays on the ball (White's ballhawk rate is 8.7 percent). The Bills' secondary is certainly more than just one standout defensive back.

This one was truly a toss-up between Howard and Bills slot corner Taron Johnson, but I chose Howard because of his sheer production when it comes to making plays on the ball. Howard has seen 50 targets as the nearest defender this season, and he's made a play on the ball on 20 percent of them, recording 10 passes defensed -- among the best in the league -- and two interceptions. He'd land higher on this list if it wasn't for his five touchdowns allowed as the nearest defender. While that isn't quite a definitive indicator of responsibility (since it relies on tracking data that can't take into account coverage responsibilities), it also doesn't look great on a stat line. Howard led the league in interceptions last season, so his performance when it comes to playing passes in his direction is no surprise. He's succeeding in a similar, physical style, posting the league's best ballhawk rate in press coverage (44.4%). It just might raise some eyebrows in Miami that he's not higher than 10. Bring me your incensed mentions.