ARIZONA CARDINALS

Majority of NFL.com panelists name Tyrann Mathieu most versatile defensive player

May 31, 2016, 3:15 PM

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathi...

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

It’s never been a secret that Tyrann Mathieu’s versatility helps to make him valuable.

The defensive back who was chosen in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft played cornerback in college, but has been a safety with the Cardinals.

Though, while he is listed as a safety, he spends a lot of time playing nickel corner, a position in which he excels.

Last season, before suffering a torn ACL toward the end of Arizona’s Week 15 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, he notched 89 total tackles to go along with five interceptions, one sack, 16 passes defensed and 11 tackles for loss.

Mathieu was a force, one who earned his first Pro Bowl nod and was in the running to be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year prior to the injury.

So really, it should come as little surprise that his name would come up when talking about the NFL’s most versatile defensive players. However, that he was named by three of the five NFL.com panelists who voted on the subject was, well, impressive.

From Heath Evans:

Early in his career, Tyrann Mathieu is comparable to some all-time greats

Mathieu has Ed Reed-type safety instincts combined with Kam Chancellor-type tackling security. People are always trying to find a weakness in his game, but there doesn’t seem to be one. The Cardinals can use him in so many ways because he’s good at all of the things you can’t teach, including instincts, recovery speed, vision, etc., which makes him more difficult to game plan for than even Troy Polamalu was. The kid is simply the best out there right now.

From Michael Robinson:

Honey Badger’s playmaking ability is unlike any other

I have to go with Tyrann Mathieu, but Khalil Mack is a very close second. Mathieu can play across the entire defensive backfield, and I just haven’t seen another player who can do that like he can. What makes him really special, though, is his ability to blitz and disrupt plays. He’s a huge playmaker for the Cardinals and every time the ball is thrown his way, there’s an opportunity for a change of possession. I think teams are starting to look for Mathieu-type players in the draft each year because they see how effective he is.

From Nate Burleson:

Cardinals’ safety can cover the NFL’s best skill players

This is a close one between two teammates, Arizona’s Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu, but I have to go with the safety. Mathieu’s ability to cover different positions proves his versatility. He can line up against some of the greatest offensive players in the league, from a dominant Rob Gronkowski to speedster Julio Jones to pass-catching running back Matt Forte. He’s able to do so much regardless of his size because of his speed and strength.

One of the folks who did not choose Mathieu was Eric Davis, though he kept it in the family with his choice.

Patrick Peterson succeeds at any position

This guy can do it all. He is a cornerback who can blitz, cover a receiver anywhere in the secondary, return punts and could possibly play wide receiver or running back. He has the quickness to do the tough work outside the numbers, but also has the build to go into the bike lane and deal with the banging. There are a lot of guys who can do one or the other, but Peterson can do both. He’s a huge talent for the Arizona Cardinals.

The only non-Cardinal to be named is the Texans’ J.J. Watt, as he was Shaun O’Hara’s pick. A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, four-time Pro Bowl choice and four-time First-team All-Pro who collected 17.5 sacks last season and has 69 over the last four seasons, chances are few would argue.

Still, there’s no doubt Mathieu is one of the most versatile defensive players in the NFL, with his varied skill set being a boon to both his career prospects and the Cardinals’ defense.

 

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Majority of NFL.com panelists name Tyrann Mathieu most versatile defensive player