NFC West, NFL Draft Winners and Losers: Tyrann Mathieu

The NFC West was considered one of, if not the best division in all of the National Football League before the 2013 draft and they took significant steps forward once the draft started as well. In this series we’ll look at some winners and losers throughout the division from the 2013 NFL Draft.

Tyrann Mathieu

May 10, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (32) looks on during rookie minicamp at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Keith talked about Tyrann Mathieu’s issues and why he won’t fit in the league in his Cardinals draft review, not to mention the fact that he thinks the Cardinals wasted their 3rd round draft pick on him. There’s no way to disagree with the problems that this kid has been dealing with, however the possibility that this was a mistake by Arizona doesn’t mean it wasn’t a great opportunity and fit for somebody… like for example Mathieu himself.

Even people that “don’t get it” in life can change if given the right situation. It doesn’t get any more right for Mathieu than dropping out of the top 2 rounds (where he planned on being) but still onto a team where he could be a difference-maker immediately. True, not all individuals with similar issues succeed in turning it around just because they are put into this same situation, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great opportunity for somebody to do it and that they won’t.

And so, for this troubled kid, lining up in the face of a pro-of-pro’s and future Hall of Famer, as well as down the line from his former teammate at LSU on a day-to-day basis may trigger something of a switch inside him to get it together. Don’t forget also that Bruce Arians seems to have positive effects on his players. But Mathieu remains one of those ultimate boom or bust candidates that could be an all-pro or out of the league in 6 months.

He’s got the right fit, but it’s up to him now to make it work. I hope he does, because it’s never good to see these guys fall off when they could’ve been good.