Tyrann Mathieu Declares for the NFL Draft. But How Many More Times Will He Be Arrested Before April?

All, College Football, Drugs, NFL Draft Jason McIntyre November 29th. 2012, 2:41pm

Tyrann Mathieu, the LSU defensive back who starred for the Tigers in 2011 before drugs derailed his college career this year, has declared for the 2013 NFL Draft.

The good news: He’s a playmaker. Whether it’s on special teams or in the secondary, Mathieu has a knack for making big plays. You know how Baltimore’s Ed Reed is always around the ball and in the middle of game-changing moments? That’s what Mathieu was doing in 2011.

The bad news: He’s 5-foot-9, which is short for a starting cornerback. Could he play safety? At just 180 pounds? Is he more of a slot corner? Those don’t get drafted early. Also, the drugs. Arrests. Can he stay out of handcuffs for the next five months? Will his pee be clean at the combine?

I’d say the range on Mathieu is anywhere from the 3rd round to undrafted. The Patriots need to improve their secondary. They’ll, as usual, have a dozen draft picks. Bill Belichick thinks he can reform anyone. Do the Pats take a chance on him in the 3rd round?

The last football game Mathieu played was in January, 2012. By the time the draft rolls around, Mathieu will have played one football game in about 16 1/2 months.

Previously: 2013 NFL Mock Draft, Thanksgiving Edition
Previously: Tyrann Mathieu, the Honey Badger, Kicked Off the LSU Football Team
Previously: Tyrann Mathieu Wants to Stay at LSU and Play in the 2013 Season, But Can He?
Previously: Tyrann Mathieu is in a Drug Rehab Facility in Houston

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51 Responses to “Tyrann Mathieu Declares for the NFL Draft. But How Many More Times Will He Be Arrested Before April?”

1
KC Resident Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
I’d say the range on Mathieu is anywhere from the 3rd round to undrafted.
You didn’t leave yourself much wiggle-room.
2
knitty Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:47 PM
I’d say the range on Mathieu is anywhere from the 3rd round to undrafted.
Going out on a limb, anywhere from 1st to undrafted for me.
3
Average_Joe Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:49 PM
The bad news: He’s 5-foot-9, which is short for a starting cornerback
Darrell Green was no more than 5’7″. Not sure what he was listed at…but I’ve stood next to the man. He may be shorter than that.
4
VladimirCrouton Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:49 PM
He could return punts and play Nickle or Dime for the Lions.
5
spencer096 Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:50 PM
wouldnt touch him.
6
vajayjay redick Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Janoris Jenkins’ success this year might encourage some teams to take a chance.
7
Sir Spicious Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:50 PM
I’d say the range on Mathieu is anywhere from ~~the 3rd round~~ Joe Flacco territory to undrafted
8
Dental Dam Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:51 PM
The Patriots need to improve their secondary. They’ll, as usual, have a dozen draft picks.
A little research never hurt anybody.
9
spencer096 Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:51 PM
The Patriots need to improve their secondary. They’ll, as usual, have a dozen draft picks.
A little research never hurt anybody.
phenomenal.
10
vajayjay redick Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:52 PM
Darrell Green was no more than 5’7″. Not sure what he was listed at…but I’ve stood next to the man. He may be shorter than that.
Different game. Everything’s bigger now. The Adderall twins in Seattle are the new model,.
11
José Pippen Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:52 PM
The bad news: He’s 5-foot-9, which is short for a starting cornerback
He’d move to Safety, would he not?
12
spencer096 Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:52 PM
Different game. Everything’s bigger now. The Adderall twins in Seattle are the new model,.
or joe haden, who’s about the same size…
13
KC Resident Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:52 PM
I’d say the range on Mathieu is anywhere from the 3rd round Joe Flacco territory to undrafted
Oh, my.
A little research never hurt anybody.
It has been a rough couple days for our EIC.
14
Cowboy Mike's Old Original Red Hot Ricochet Barbeque Sauce Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:53 PM
Did Darrell Green get exposed as a clown fraud in the biggest college game of his career too?
15
johndewar Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:53 PM
I don’t think he’ll go undrafted. Someone will draft him at the back end of the draft strictly because he can be a game changer on special teams. As a CB (no way he can play safety), I think he would be OK, as long as the match up was accounted for by a competent defensive coach.
Dumb question: Did Mathieu ever take any offensive snaps at LSU?
16
VladimirCrouton Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:53 PM
Janoris Jenkins’ success this year might encourage some teams to take a chance.
I wanted him in the first round or to at least trade up in the 2nd to get him. But hey Martin Mayhew is a genius.
17
José Pippen Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:54 PM
The Patriots need to improve their secondary. They’ll, as usual, have a dozen draft picks.
A little research never hurt anybody.
phenomenal.
To be fair, they probably trade down and get more picks before the draft is over, though
18
cleet Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:55 PM
The Patriots need to improve their secondary. They’ll, as usual, have a dozen draft picks.
For being a mock draft guru, you would think one would remember that the Pats have shifted their drafting strategy because Brady is getting up there in years.
19
vajayjay redick Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:55 PM
Dumb question: Did Mathieu ever take any offensive snaps at LSU?
No. He did start at safety in the Arkansas game last year when Reid was hurt.
20
Miguels Driver Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:56 PM
He could return punts and play Nickle or Dime for the Lions.
He could smoke pot with Leshoure and Fairley, too. Could be a great bonding experience. But seriously, I wouldn’t mind if they took him if he was around in the late rounds.
21
cleet Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:57 PM
To be fair, they probably trade down and get more picks before the draft is over, though
Bill realizes he only has a few more years with Brady at this level. The future is now for them, hence trading up to get Hightower and trading picks for Talib.
22
sousedbergin Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:57 PM
CFL does not have recreational drug testing although you do risk living in Winnipeg.
23
José Pippen Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:58 PM
Oh, and everyone knows Honey Badger’s headed to Cincinnati, which is fine by me. Vontaze seems to be working out ok
24
PL StabbinKabin Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 2:59 PM
Like Flacco, I fully expect him to go in the 3rd round.
25
cleet Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:00 PM
Oh, and everyone knows Honey Badger’s headed to Cincinnati, which is fine by me.
Or Oakland. Well, maybe Oakland. Forgot Al isn’t around anymore.
26
sousedbergin Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:04 PM
From Tay Cody’s wikipedia page:
Personal
Cody is married to his high school sweetheart, Chara, they have five boys; Conronta, Ty’Wantae, Montana Tay, Santana, and Tayden
27
Some Random Old Dude Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Opinion, opinion I say: go as a free agent. Don’t even worry about the draft.
Pick your spot with a team that’s hurting. Do an all-out media blitz just before the draft. “I’m a changed man, willing to do whatever it takes to help a team win.”
Return punts. Kamikaze work as a gunner on kick coverage. He can make it in the league, in the right place. There’s always room for a playmaker.
28
Jim Harbaugh Scramble Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:10 PM
he’s a warm body and plays in the secondary. Good fit for lions as undrafted free agent. Can take dipshit Titus Young’s roster spot.
29
roastbeast Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:12 PM
wouldnt touch him.
this. dude has special skills but is not special
30
stynga Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:14 PM
Arrests? Its weed, which easily over half the league smokes already, AND its legal in two states.
Dude will be fine, obviously not the brightest bulb but the pros may be better for him that way.
Go to Denver or Seattle.
31
roastbeast Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Conronta, Ty’Wantae, Montana Tay, Santana, and Tayden
there’s some pig latin in there. is tay hispanic?
32
scripty Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:15 PM
He’s relatively unknown and will be a consensus bust.
33
roastbeast Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:17 PM
He’s relatively unknown and will be a consensus bust.
an ESPN special
34
sctrojans Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Darrell Green was no more than 5’7″. Not sure what he was listed at…but I’ve stood next to the man. He may be shorter than that.
He was also one of the best athletes in NFL history. And not a proven jackass.
35
ButtersBC Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:19 PM
Wasn’t it determined that he’s not good at covering people and that Claiborne was the real talent in that secondary?
36
roastbeast Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:20 PM
he’s good at picking up fumbles and having a nickname
37
phillymantis915 Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:20 PM
For being a mock draft guru, you would think one would remember that the Pats have shifted their drafting strategy because Brady is getting up there in years.
Offensive line or draft a QB? I thought they had Mallett?
38
sctrojans Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:23 PM
Arrests? Its weed, which easily over half the league smokes already, AND its legal in two states.
It’s selling weed in the one period of time he needs to keep on the straight and narrow in order to heighten his NFL appeal. It isn’t a drug issue. It’s an idiocy issue
39
WheresWallace Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:26 PM
The bad news
He’s a below average corner.
40
stynga Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:26 PM
I agree its an idiot issue. But Pacman Jones is still playing.
That’s really my point.
41
roastbeast Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:27 PM
But Pacman Jones is still playing.
it’s raining somewhere
42
Clayton Cargill Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Darrell Green was no more than 5’7″. Not sure what he was listed at…but I’ve stood next to the man. He may be shorter than that.
He was also one of the best athletes in NFL history. And not a proven jackass
Darrell Green was literally the fastest guy in the league for years and years. And he was the best cover guy for a long time. And teams threw less.
43
stynga Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:31 PM
it’s raining somewhere
hopefully not in some lady’s womb
44
Clayton Cargill Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:31 PM
I agree its an idiot issue. But Pacman Jones is still playing.
That’s really my point.
there are guys who have proven that they can’t cover that are still playing backup in the league. This kid will get drafted, and he’ll probably play slot corner, and maybe FS a little bit. And he’ll be all right.
45
roastbeast Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:33 PM
And he’ll be all right.
hope so
46
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:37 PM
No. He did start at safety in the Arkansas game last year when Reid was hurt.
Leading to TBL putting him as a “safety” in the first round of his mock draft, then insisting on keeping him there no matter what anyone said.
Including this gem:
31. Lions – Tyrann Mathieu, S, LSU. Honey Badger is only 5-foot-9 and moves to CB in the pros.
http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/05/01/2013-nfl-mock-draft-yes-one-year-before-the-draft-happens/
47
Lack of Institutional Control Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Darrell Green was no more than 5’7″. Not sure what he was listed at…but I’ve stood next to the man. He may be shorter than that.
He was also one of the best athletes in NFL history. And not a proven jackass
Darrell Green was literally the fastest guy in the league for years and years. And he was the best cover guy for a long time. And teams threw less.
Darrell Green had ELITE speed and TM is, relatively speaking, not that fast. In addition, he sucked in man coverage. What he did best was blitz from the slot and make plays on the ball when he could roam, a la Ed Reed as someone else noted.
He will have a career as a nickle/dime slot corner, and as a return man on special teams, but it won’t be anything special.
48
sctrojans Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Style of play wise, he is a college version of what Charles Woodson has become with Green Bay. Basically a tiny fourth linebacker in a nickel package. This means he won’t do much in the pros, as Woodson has about 4 inches, 30 pounds, and a whole lot of savvy on him.
49
roastbeast Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:56 PM
i imagine he will be the nfl’s version of a prison twink
50
stynga Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 3:57 PM
KR/PR
51
Cowboy Mike's Old Original Red Hot Ricochet Barbeque Sauce Says:
November 29th, 2012 at 4:07 PM
13. Panthers – Denard Robinson, ATH, Michigan. Between Cam Newton, Joe Adams, Steve Smith and Robinson (he’s no NFL QB), the Panthers will be exciting. Also, this is a for-fun pick, it will never happen. It’s way too early to tell if Shoelaces is a first-round pick.