Tyrann Mathieu a Top-10 Safety in National Site

See where Saints S Tyrann Mathieu was rated among the league's safeties by a national publication.

New Orleans native and former LSU standout Tyrann Mathieu was brought ''home'' by the New Orleans Saints during the 2022 offseason. A third-round choice by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2013 NFL Draft, Mathieu came back to New Orleans with an extensive resume'.

Over his first nine seasons with the Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Kansas City Chiefs, Mathieu intercepted 26 passes (returning three for touchdowns), broke up 76 throws, forced or recovered 10 fumbles, and recorded 10 sacks to go along with 41 tackles for loss. He's a three-time 1st Team All-Pro to go along with four Pro Bowl berths, a 2013 All-Rookie selection, and was voted onto the All-2010s Team.

Mathieu struggled a bit during his first year with the Saints. Early in 2022, he was often out of position in deep coverage support and took bad angles in tackle pursuit. He'd play much better late in the campaign and actually finished with a career-high 91 tackles, second on the team. Three of those stops were for a loss, which also included one sack and a forced fumble.

Mathieu also had a team-high 3 interceptions on a squad that only picked off opposing quarterbacks seven times, second fewest in the league. He broke up eight passes and allowed less than 63% completion percentage when in man coverage for the Saints second ranked pass defense. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans (13) is hit by New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) as he makes a catch. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Mathieu and former New York Jets S Marcus Maye were both in their first years with the New Orleans defense. They were tasked with replacing Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Williams, and Malcolm Jenkins, the team's top three safeties from 2021.

In an article for Pro Football Focus earlier this month, writer Dalton Wasserman ranked that site's top NFL safeties heading into the 2023-24 campaign. 

Out of the top 32 safeties ranked by PFF, Mathieu came in at a surprising Number 7. Here's what Wasserman had to say about the New Orleans star. 

''The Honey Badger” is always in the middle of things and was at his best playing for his hometown Saints. Mathieu’s 87.9 coverage grade last season led all safeties, and he gave up only one reception of 20-plus yards. His elite versatility and instincts allow Dennis Allen to use his entire playbook. Mathieu showed he still has plenty in the tank during his age-30 campaign.

New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) prepares for the play against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Interestingly, Mathieu was slotted ahead of former New Orleans safeties Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Number 15) and Marcus Williams (#24). Only Derwin James (Chargers), Minkah Fitzpatrick (Steelers), Kevin Byard (Titans), Antoine Winfield Jr. (Buccaneers), Micah Hyde (Bills), and Justin Simmons (Broncos) were ranked ahead of him.

Mathieu, who turned 31 in May, did not have his best season according to most. However, he was a huge part of a New Orleans defense that surrendered only one 300-yard passer all season and one 100-yard receiver over their last 10 games. The Saints allowed over 20 points only once in their last 10 contests, including less than 20 in the final six games of the year, tying a franchise record. 

A versatile and dynamic playmaker, Mathieu is equally effective as a deep safety, inside the tackle box, or in slot coverage. Expect the ''hometown hero'' to be even better as he enters his second year in the Saints defensive scheme.