Thread Series: The case for/against Tyrann Mathieu

[diehardskin2982]

It is very slow this offseason. This is a discussion series leading up to the draft to talk about prospects that the skins are considering. Make the case for or against them. Judge if this player should be in the B&G come training camp.

The first player is Tyrann Mathieu. Much like D.Hall, he is a player that people love or hate. That should make a good discussion.

Ht: 5'9"
Wt: 186lbs
40: 4.50 secs
Vert: 34inches
Broad Jump:117 inches

Write up from NFL.com:

The New Orleans area native grew up living with his grandparents and then his aunt and uncle (who adopted him), as his mother was often absent and his father has been in jail throughout most of Mathieu’s life for robbery and then murder. His family was also uprooted due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Despite that rough beginning, he excelled enough in high school to get a scholarship offer from LSU, who overlooked his lack of size -– unlike many other regretful major programs.

He was dismissed from the Tigers in August 2012 for multiple violations of team rules, however, and is now working through treatment for substance abuse in Houston while being mentored by former NBA player and drug rehab guru John Lucas. He did not play football in the 2012 season.

Pros:
2011 Bednarik Award winner
First-team All-SEC
Consensus All-American honors
Finalist for the Heisman Trophy

Tyrann is a true playmaker who will not wow you in shorts & and a T-Shirt but will always seem to be around the ball, making plays on the field. He will most likely be a third round pick. Will you take him at tjhat point? Discuss pro's and cons.

[MTK]

I wouldn't use a 3rd rounder on a slot corner. 5th rd or later.

[Chico23231]

awesome idea being that the draft is where we are going to find our impact players this offseason.

My biggest problem against is where is his position...SS or CB? Does he have the skill set to play either at a high level.

I know where he CANT play and that is boundry corner on the outside, he simply does not have the coverage skills or the speed to a certain extent.

Im gonna say his best fit is going to be Nickle corner, close to the line for him to make plays, blitz, and run support. Do you spend a 3rd round pick on a nickle corner?

Probably not, BUT the fact we need safety help too, I think ideally I would pass on him in the 3rd but move up early in the 4th round to grab him, trading one of our 5th. This being predicated he's not gone. I believe he is taken late 3rd round.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

awesome idea being that the draft is where we are going to find our impact players this offseason.

My biggest problem against is where is his position...SS or CB? Does he have the skill set to play either at a high level.

I know where he CANT play and that is boundry corner on the outside, he simply does not have the coverage skills or the speed to a certain extent.

Im gonna say his best fit is going to be Nickle corner, close to the line for him to make plays, blitz, and run support. Do you spend a 3rd round pick on a nickle corner?

Probably not, BUT the fact we need safety help too, I think ideally I would pass on him in the 3rd but move up early in the 4th round to grab him, trading one of our 5th. This being predicated he's not gone. I believe he is taken late 3rd round.

Nickel corners are just like starters in today's NFL. I think when you add in the fact that he's a great teams player you have to take him. We could fill two needs with that pick.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Nickel corners are just like starters in today's NFL. I think when you add in the fact that he's a great teams player you have to take him. We could fill two needs with that pick.

good points. Kick returner is a huge need

[diehardskin2982]

He won't be around in the 5th. I might take a chance on him because if I could see at time in the FS role as well as the slot corner roll. He has made plays at the highest level of college sports.

[RGIII]

The Skins are relying on too many potheads already but, the team should consider the risk/reward in after the third round.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by RGIII

The Skins are relying on too many potheads already but, the team should consider the risk/reward in after the third round.

The guy smoked some weed in college. So what. The reward far outweighs the risk.

[mredskins]

is this honey badger guy?

[skinsfaninok]

I think he goes in the 3-4 round so yes I would take him. Guy is a baller

[mooby]

If he was there in the 4th, I'd take him. He's got too many risks for me to use a third or higher on him. 4th round pick is pretty low risk/high reward for me.

[mredskins]

Tyrann Mathieu LSU Sophomore Year Highlight [2011] - YouTube

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by mredskins

Tyrann Mathieu LSU Sophomore Year Highlight [2011] - YouTube

You simply can't teach the skills that Mathieu has. He almost reminds me of a smaller #21. The guy looks like he was born to play football. I'd love to see this kid in burgundy and gold and become a star.

[hagams]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

You simply can't teach the skills that Mathieu has. He almost reminds me of a smaller #21. The guy looks like he was born to play football. I'd love to see this kid in burgundy and gold and become a star.

I didn't want to be the first to throw these two in the same breath. I think he plays at the same emotional level that Sean did. I would like to have him at the right time in the draft. I think the 3rd is too risky, but we need to look at's whats on the board at that time. What's the downside? We burn this years 3rd rounder, sign him cheap for 2 years and see what happens.

[CultBrennan59]

I'd take him in the 3rd, because I was reading in a couple of my draft magazines that he also played a lot of FS in college. So you have a guy who can play, FS,SS, CB/NB, PR and KR. So I basically get 5 positions out of one player. Yeah I'd give up a 3rd for him at the highest.