Tyrann Mathieu

the diminutive Honey Badger! Small, mean, dangerous, and entering the draft because he was kicked off the LSU football team for several failed drug tests, Tyrann Mathieu could be the next troubled cornerback the Rams can reform. But can this Tye Hill sized corner mimic the season that Ram's rookie Janoris Jenkin has just completed? Holding the two players' profiles side by side the similarities are intriguing.

Janoris Jenkins ran into trouble at Florida due to failed drug tests. He transferred to Northern Alabama and fell to the second round. The Rams selected him and he went on to set a record for rookie defensive touchdowns and is a strong canidate for defensive rookie of the year.

In his Junior at Florida Janoris recorded 44 tackles, 5.5 for a loss. He had 1 sack, 3 interceptions and 0 forced fumbles. Thats respectable. He showed his talent against the superior talent in the SEC and came out looking like a pro.

In his freshman year at LSU Tyrann recorded 57 tackles, 8.5 for a loss. He had 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. His sophomore year: 76 tackles, 7.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles and 4 fumble recoveries.

DANG

That is production. He is 5'9ft and 175lbs. The fine writers at Walterfootball.com predict him to run a 4.42 40 yard dash at the combine. That is very close to Janoris Jenkins 4.46 40 time. Stats can be deceiving however! So I had to see where Tyrann was getting his production.......and this is what I found. I did not choose the music on this video I take no responsibility for the lyrics.

Tyrann Mathieu "The Honey Badger" Career Highlights HD (via vReFresh3)

It starts with his pass rushing highlights. Some of those hits were pretty impressive. Did anyone else notice that on one of those sacks he beat LUKE JOECKEL? Isn't Luke Joeckel considered the best player in the draft this year? I believe he is. And the nice diving interception was taken from Ryan Tannerhill, one of those forced fumbles was pried from the hands of a healthy Kniles Davis. Tyrann has proven himself agaisn't the best the college ranks had to offer.

Many of the forced fumbles occur after Tyrann engages a ball carrier. He is always trying to knock the ball out and some of his interceptions are snatched out of the receivers hands. He is always aware of where the ball is.

Many of the Mock drafts I have read consider Tyrann's best chance of being picked is in the 3rd round either by the Rams or the Ravens. The Rams have mentored Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson who also had off-field issues. Fisher can handle anything.

Bottom Line: The Rams could use someone of Tyrann Mathieu's skill and what he lacks in size he makes up with in low tackling and ball awareness. I would be esctastic to here the Rams call his name halfway through the third round or even the second round. He is a playmaker that, added with Janoris, Cortland Finnegan, Trumaine, and Mikell, plus another safety (Matt Elam hopefully), could make playing the Rams defensive backfield a day that has Quarterbacks circling the mondays after for burn treatments as they threw more touchdowns to the other team than their own.