Tyrann Mathieu Will Be the Steal of the 2013 NFL Draft

It appears to be an almost absolute certainty that the Honey Badger, former LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, is done playing college football.

One of last season’s Heisman trophy finalists, Mathieu was kicked off the team prior to the start of the season after failing too many drug tests. For some reason Mathieu must have thought there was a chance and he re-enrolled back at LSU rather than go somewhere else.

After getting arrested on marijuana possession charges on Thursday any chance that he thought he had of getting back on the LSU squad has to be gone. That leaves transferring to a school in a lower conference or heading into the draft.
Any doubts on which one he’ll choose?

While he has the talents that every coach in the NFL is looking for, the ball hawk will be the one guy that everyone keeps at a distance (at least publicly) due to the negative perception that will come with being associated with him.

At the same time there will be plenty of teams that will be interested in taking a chance on him. Any defensive player that is even considered for the Heisman has to be a stud; the Heisman hasn't exactly been kind to defensive guys. Someone that can force 11 fumbles, recover eight, record four interceptions and six sacks in two seasons will be someone teams want on the field.

The difficulty will be his legal and behavioral problems. There have been many players in the past to have similar if not the same issues he has, but in today’s NFL teams are hypersensitive when it comes to guys like Mathieu. No one wants a guy that can’t pass a drug test or stay out of trouble.

If he’s smart (something he hasn't proved to be yet) he will leave Baton Rouge as soon as his latest legal escapade allows him to. He needs to be out of the environment that he keeps getting in trouble in; out of sight, out of mind. Further legal difficulties will make it pretty hard for any team to justify taking a chance on him.

Next, he needs to prove that drugs will not be a problem for him. If that means going to rehab then he needs to go to rehab. Whatever it entails, he needs to get it done. Without it he’ll be lucky to get an invite to camp as a free agent.

Then and only then will some teams be willing to spend a late round pick on him. With the talent he has, should he stay clean he will play and play well. Whoever picks him will be lauded for his judgment and patted on the back for taking the steal of the draft.

Should he be a flop for whatever reason no one will fault a team that used a sixth or seventh round pick on him.