Breaking down the all-time Buffalo Bills free safeties as voted by Bills Mafia

Jairus Byrd (2009 – 2013)

Jairus Byrd is the son of former NFL corner, Gil Byrd and when the Buffalo Bills drafted Jairus with the 42nd overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the team elected to move him to free safety.

That move proved to be the best thing that could have happened.  In his rookie season of 2009, Byrd recorded nine interceptions, 11 passes defensed and 45 combined tackles.  He finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting as well.

Byrd was named to three Pro Bowls in his career in 2009, 2012 and again in 2013, all while with the Bills.  He recorded 22 interceptions with the Bills; however, he elected to sign a free agent deal with the New Orleans Saints after the 2013 season.  He would manage only three more interceptions after leaving the Bills.

Byrd was also a two-time second-team All-Pro in 2012 and 2013.  Despite the incredible start to his career, leading the NFL in interceptions, he never recorded more than five in any given season after that rookie year. Byrd played his final season in 2017, when he joined the Carolina Panthers; however, he did not start for the Panthers and recorded only 11 combined tackles on the year.