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Tyrann Mathieu | Defensive Back

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Age / DOB:  (21) / 5/13/1992
Ht / Wt:  5'9' / 186
College: LSU
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Cardinals third-round FS Tyrann Mathieu enters the NFL in the league's drug test program.
That means Mathieu is subject to as many as ten drug tests per month. The 21-year-old former LSU Tiger's off-the-field drug problems are well-documented, and he has repeated several times that he's fine with drug testing and that his issues are behind him. Mathieu signed his four-year rookie deal on Thursday, and he received just $265,000 up front. Another $355,000 is available in roster bonuses from 2014-2016, and they will void if he ends up getting suspended. May 23 - 7:21 PM
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

Cardinals signed third-round FS Tyrann Mathieu to a four-year contract.

There was initial chatter that Mathieu would have to accept a contract with no guaranteed money due to his off-the-field troubles, but we doubt that's the case. The Cardinals plan to use Mathieu like Ronde Barber, cross-training him at both free safety and slot corner. He was primarily a slot corner at LSU. Mathieu will also be a factor in the return game as a rookie.
May 23 - 4:19 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson is "more than confident" third-round FS Tyrann Mathieu has put his troubles behind him.

Mathieu's relationship with Peterson is one of the main reasons the Cardinals were willing to roll the dice on the talented but troubled Honey Badger. "He had a couple issues coming out of college, but trust me, that is more than behind him," Peterson said. "This is a kid that just wants to play football again. ... He’ll never let that opportunity slip away from him again." Mathieu will begin his career at safety, and is likely to feature on returns.
Source: Arizona Republic
May 10 - 12:44 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

The agent for No. 69 pick Tyrann Mathieu disputes a report he's agreed to accept a non-guaranteed contract with the Cardinals.

SI's Peter King reported in MMQB Mathieu's deal would include zero signing bonus and all non-guaranteed roster bonuses plus minimum base salaries. Agent Pat Lawlor says there's no way that's happening. "Ridiculous," said Lawlor. "Not gonna happen. We had no contract discussions with them." We suspect this'll be a non-story soon enough, but a high third-round draft pick taking a fully non-guaranteed contract would be unprecedented in the NFL.
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 29 - 6:24 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

SI's Peter King reports new Cardinals DB Tyrann Mathieu's contract will include no guaranteed money, and that he'll be randomly drug tested "as often as weekly."

Per King, Mathieu's bonus money will come in the form of roster bonuses. Last year's No. 69 pick, WR T.J. Graham, received a $671,000 signing bonus. The setup protects the Cards in the event the Honey Badger's "maturation" was little more than a pre-draft stunt. Mathieu has ample financial incentive to stay on the straight and narrow in the desert.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Apr 29 - 9:30 AM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said No. 69 pick CB/KR Tyrann Mathieu will begin his career at free safety.

The Cardinals have a glut of corners but question marks at safety, so they'll give the Honey Badger a chance to make an impact at a new position as a rookie. Mathieu could still see snaps in the slot, but his playmaking skills could translate well at safety.
Source: Darren Urban on Twitter
Apr 26 - 10:09 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

Cardinals selected LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu with the No. 69 overall pick.

It's one of the best possible landing spots for the "Honey Badger," who will be playing alongside his college teammate and offseason training partner Patrick Peterson. Mathieu will compete for snaps in the slot, and could make an immediate impact on returns. Peterson is one of the league's top return men, but the presence of Mathieu could allow him to focus on becoming a true shutdown corner. Mathieu (5-8, 186) made only 14 college starts, but created 14 turnovers. Despite his well-documented baggage, Mathieu's 2011 tape is dazzling. We like his chances of eventually developing into a versatile, high-impact NFL defender.
Apr 26 - 9:00 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

The Houston Chronicle reports the Texans will not draft LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu after he "stiffed" the team on a scheduled pre-draft visit last week.

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports Mathieu also "stiffed" the Seahawks. There's an obvious microscope on Mathieu, but he could only have hurt himself by being a no-show at pre-draft team events. There's still been enough buzz surrounding the Honey Badger's name that we anticipate him being selected on day two.
Related: Texans, Seahawks
Source: Houston Chronicle
Apr 26 - 5:58 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport mentioned the Bengals, 49ers, Cardinals, and Patriots as teams that could look at drafting LSU CB/PR Tyrann Mathieu early on Friday.

The Bengals and Patriots are two new clubs to throw into the hat, as the 49ers and Cardinals have already been linked to Mathieu. Rapoport thinks the 49ers could use Mathieu to cover new Rams slot machine Tavon Austin in the NFC West. San Francisco holds the Nos. 34 and 61 picks in the second round. The Bengals are sitting at 37 and 53, the Cardinals at 38, and the Patriots hold the 52nd and 59th picks.
Related: 49ers, Patriots, Cardinals, Bengals
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Apr 26 - 3:59 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

CSN Bay Area considers LSU CB/PR Tyrann Mathieu a "definite possibility" for the 49ers on day two, but probably not at No. 34.

San Francisco's other day-two picks are Nos. 61 and 74. The 49ers have a glut of corners, but could view Mathieu as an option in the slot. Coach Jim Harbaugh also places a high value on return specialists, and Mathieu is one of the very best in this year's draft class.
Related: 49ers
Source: Matt Maiocco on Twitter
Apr 26 - 12:42 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

XTRA 910 Arizona's Mike Jurecki is "hearing" the Cardinals could consider LSU CB/PR Tyrann Mathieu on day two.

Per Jurecki, the Cards believe Mathieu could "play a little safety" in addition to cornerback. In the desert, Mathieu's return ability would allow Patrick Peterson to focus on developing into a true shutdown cornerback. The Honey Badger's name recognition will make him one of day two's most discussed players.
Related: Cardinals
Source: Mike Jurecki on Twitter
Apr 26 - 11:05 AM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

LSU CB/PR Tyrann Mathieu has canceled his draft party previously scheduled for Thursday night.

Mathieu came to his senses after getting skewered in the media, tweeting, "There will be no party for Tyrann Mathieu!!" It would have been a lame party anyway as the Honey Badger isn't going to be a first-round pick because of his, well, partying. We still expect him to come off the board around the third round, but the coaching staff of whatever team takes the plunge is going to have some serious character building to do.
Source: Tyrann Mathieu on Twitter
Apr 25 - 8:39 AM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

LSU CB/PR Tyrann Mathieu is holding a Thursday draft party for "1st round draft pick Tyrann Mathieu, AKA Honey Badger of LSU."

Mathieu has spent the pre-draft process trying to rehabilitate his image — and shed the "Honey Badger" moniker — but it's clear he still has a ways to go. In Mathieu's defense, it's extremely unlikely he worded his own party flier, but we're again seeing why nine of 12 personnel people polled by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel said they wouldn't even sign him as an undrafted free agent. On top of everything else, Mathieu's party is going to be a dud, as there's a zero percent chance he's a first-round pick.
Source: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com
Apr 24 - 1:15 PM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

Of 12 NFL personnel people polled by the Journal-Sentinel, nine said they would not draft LSU CB/PR Tyrann Mathieu or sign him as a free agent.

"He's a hell of a punt returner, but he's not that great a player," said one personnel man. "Besides, we got enough guys on our team that smoke dope. Why do I want one that might be smoking it in his room the night before a game?" Mathieu's marijuana issues have been well documented, but he passed his Combine drug test and appears to have turned a corner. There's enough talent here that a team will take a shot on Day 2 of the draft. "I did not want to like him, but he is fantastic," another scout said. "I know he's 5-8 3/4, but when you watch that tape all he does is make plays, and he's an excellent returner."
Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Apr 24 - 10:55 AM
Tyrann Mathieu - DB - Cardinals

LSU CB/PR Tyrann Mathieu "had to blow off" two team visits after getting sick last week.

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer intimates it didn't sit well with some teams, but that Mathieu was legitimately ill. If he was sick, he was sick, but even the appearance of a slip-up isn't good for Mathieu in the buildup to this week's draft. Glazer expects Mathieu to come off the board on day two. We agree.
Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter
Apr 23 - 5:26 PM

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