ChicagoTribune: Report : Honey Badger to enter NFL Draft

[HailToTheRedskins14]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,2109784.story

Former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu plans to declare himself eligible for the next NFL draft, a source close to the player told ESPN.com.

The Heisman Trophy finalist was suspended and fast-rising NFL prospect was suspended for this season after failing an August drug test, and entered a treatment program.

He was arrested last month with three former teammates on a possession of marijuana charge. Mathieu and Jordan Jefferson were later released.

Last I heard, he was gonna sit out a year and then go back to LSU next year. But I think that was before he got arrested AGAIN. I was hoping he got his head on straight. That said, I would be a hypocrit if I tried to point my finger at a dude for smoking weed. It's not a violent crime, so I don't think it makes him a bad person.

But really...the point of this thread is....SHOULD WE? I guess he'll have to enter the NFL on that probation thing where he's already getting drug tested and going to checkups or whatever. But we need secondary help badly, and he'll obviously slide out of the 1st round. I'm thinking he'll be 3rd rounder at the highest. We might luck out on this one.

Of course, I know plenty here will say to stay away, he's not worth the risk, he's a troublemaker, he's a thug, etc. Maybe so, who knows. But dude can play football.

[Destino]

With his issues he might get drafted but he'll need a great combine to go 4th round or better IMO. Risk is way too high. If the skins drafted him in the 5th or later I wouldn't mind.

[Bacon]

He's undersized and lacks discipline. If we spend a 5th, 6th or 7th pick on him, that would be OK. Any higher wouldn't be worth it.

[Mr. Sinister]

Anyone who tries to pick him in the first 4 rounds is retarded.

[zoony]

All BS aside, I'm just not convinced he's all that good.

Lots and lots of hype, yes.

[kevinklein]

All BS aside, I'm just not convinced he's all that good.

Lots and lots of hype, yes.

He sure as **** was good at the college level.

[HeluCopter29]

I'll take a late round flier on him. Anything to help the secondary.

[DarrellsMyHero28]

Honestly, from what I've read/seen/heard from LSU fans his coverage skills just aren't very impressive.

He's a DHall with poorer cover skills but better return skills.

No interest.

[zoony]

He sure as **** was good at the college level.

I saw him get beat like a drum against some mediocre talent.

Like I said, it was more hype than anything.

Is he good? Yes, he is good. Is he as good as the hype machine warranted? Not close.

[HailToTheRedskins14]

Okay, maybe he's not a first or second round guy, but yall are underrating him to say he's not that good. Sure there was some hype to add to it, but he was a playmaker as a sophomore. Actually, he was a beast. He has return skills like Patrick Peterson. He singlehandedly won multiple games on defense and special teams. He's a special talent.

[bricucci]

We will see how he grades out. Hard to stamp someone with a character issue at 19. Trent Williams had alot of tags coming out and stumbled last year also, but has turned it around. The kid didn't get drummed, may have been beat a few times, but is a playmaker. Definately worth a 4th round possibly 3rd round pick on.

[#98QBKiller]

Okay, maybe he's not a first or second round guy, but yall are underrating him to say he's not that good. Sure there was some hype to add to it, but he was a playmaker as a sophomore. Actually, he was a beast. He has return skills like Patrick Peterson. He singlehandedly won multiple games on defense and special teams. He's a special talent.

Exactly. The guy is a playmaker plain and simple. But he does come with some baggage. If our staff went in and talked to him and decided that his baggage is a thing of the past and wanted to draft him at some point, I wouldn't be upset at all. I'm just hoping we take the best safety available when we pick in the 2nd.

[Unforgiven]

Pass.

He's got character issues and is undersized for the NFL with teams shifting away to larger corners. His skills in the secondary weren't all that impressive anyway, inconsistent is a good way to describe it. He's good in the return game but I would have no interest in spending a draft pick on a 5' 9" cornerback with character issues and questionable cover skills just because he ran return some punts/kicks.

[Son of Gadsden]

Not to hijack, but aren't we getting Minnifield back next year? Or did he sign somewhere else?

[Destino]

Exactly. The guy is a playmaker plain and simple. But he does come with some baggage. If our staff went in and talked to him and decided that his baggage is a thing of the past and wanted to draft him at some point, I wouldn't be upset at all. I'm just hoping we take the best safety available when we pick in the 2nd.

But can he cover an NFL wide receiver consistently? I've heard all about him being a playmaker, particularly in forcing fumbles, but I don't hear people describe him as a consistent cover corner and that's the most important part of a defensive backs game. That's not even taking into account the risk of giving a kid unable to stop involving himself with illegal drugs a large paycheck.