11th-year New England Patriots safety Kevin Byard knows what a No. 1 tight end like AJ Brown means to an offense.
“When I was in Chicago, we obviously played against a guy in Justin Jefferson, and for the most part, you have to pinpoint where Justin Jefferson was on every single play,” Byard said. “It’s the same with AJ. When I’m lined up at safety, and I’m deep there, 12, 14, 15 yards, whatever, I’m going to find where AJ is? You know what I mean? Like where is he? Is he lined up way out on the boundary at the X? Is he lined up in the slot and now he can carry himself to what he’s good at or now? stop, OK, this is where number 1 player is here, the tight end is here. So, it just changes your philosophy of how you want to play defense.