The Arizona Cardinals may have drafted cornerback Tyrann Mathieu in the third-round, but that is not stopping them from taking necessary precautions with the troubled player. They took a risk drafting him in the first place, but will not take a risk when it comes to signing him to a contract. The Cardinals want zero repercussions if the Honey Badger experiment does not work out, so Mathieu's contract will not have any guaranteed money attached to it.
The Cardinals could be getting one incredible athlete with the No. 69 overall pick, or they could be getting the football player that was released from LSU due to drug problems. Mathieu's checkered past is no secret. After being a Heisman Trophy candidate for LSU, he was kicked off the team and released from the school for multiple failed drug tests. Mathieu completed a rehab program and a comeback to football, but it remains to be seen if he has put his past behind him.
The draft drew criticism from several NFL analysts who believe Mathieu still runs the risk of being an irresponsible teammate. If he has moved on, the Cardinals are getting a strong defensive player that could add another level to their secondary. Arizona hopes he continues to play like the once assumed top-10 pick he used to be. But just in case, Arizona will protect themselves from potential risks. They intend on giving Mathieu regular drug tests on a weekly basis and will construct his contract to have no guaranteed cash. He will have bonus money worked in, but if the team has to cut him for some reason, they lose nothing.
"It's uncharacteristic of our organization to take chances on guys with troubled pasts. But we thought this was a good player and person for us to take. I'm not naïve about this. I know the risk, But the risk to reward was enticing. His passion for the game is off the charts," general manager Steve Keim said about the signing.
The Cardinals first request of Mathieu is to just stay out of trouble. Their second is that he switches positions. Mathieu entered the draft as a cornerback, but instead head coach Bruce Arians intends for him to play free safety. Mathieu will reunite with former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson in the Cardinal's secondary where the two could prove to be highly productive when working together. All signs point to Mathieu having a successful career in Arizona if he can stay out of trouble.
