One of the most intriguing players in the 2013 NFL Draft weighed in on Sunday morning at the NFL Combine when former LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu measured in at 5'8¾. The height, while short, wasn't unexpected; however, he weighed in at 186 pounds, a solid weight for the playmaker that was listed at 176 during his time with the Tigers.
2013 NFL combine results: Tyrann Mathieu measures in just under 5’9
Tyrann Mathieu measured in just about as tall as was expected, although he carried more weight than was anticipated by most.
Described by many as a better football player than athlete, Mathieu is expected to underwhelm in the 40-yard dash when the defensive backs run on Tuesday. CBS Sports projects that he will run a 4.58 in the 40, leaving the door open for Mathieu to impress with a better time than expected at his higher-than-expected weight.
While the weigh-in and 40-yard dash aren’t going to do Mathieu many favors, he has the chance to put up impressive numbers in strength and change of direction drills. Perhaps two of his biggest assets as a prospect are his physicality, despite his diminutive stature, and his short-distance quickness that made him a dangerous returner in college.
Mathieu has drawn comparisons to Antoine Winfield and Cortland Finnegan for his quick instincts and physicality in spite of his height. However, he is unlikely to display the same type of 40-yard dash speed that both of those players did. That lack of natural size and speed, coupled with the risk associated with a player that was dismissed from LSU, could spell trouble for the defensive back, although this is nothing new.
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