Key stats show how Tyrann Mathieu's versatility makes him one of the NFL's best safeties
Tyrann Mathieu is the ultimate chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo's multiple-look defense. Mathieu is a do-it-all safety that can cover, play the run, and get after the quarterback. The tape is what truly shows off his abilities, but he has the numbers to back it up, too. Mathieu is even an effective slot defender, which […]
Tyrann Mathieu is the ultimate chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo's multiple-look defense. Mathieu is a do-it-all safety that can cover, play the run, and get after the quarterback. The tape is what truly shows off his abilities, but he has the numbers to back it up, too.
Mathieu is even an effective slot defender, which is key in today's NFL. And the fact that he's a safety makes it all the more impressive. Granted, Mathieu isn't a big guy at 5-foot-9, 190-pounds, which makes him more nimble than most safeties. However, he plays bigger than his size and his pound-for-pound tenacity allows him to guard even the toughest assignments.
When defending the slot, Mathieu allowed the second-lowest quarterback rating (53.3) among all safeties with at least 99 pass coverage snaps in 2021, per Pro Football Focus. He allowed a league-low 45 pass yards and tied for a league-high three interceptions while also leading the NFL in yards per snap (0.35). Mathieu also finished second in both snaps per target (9.6) and snaps per reception (14.3).
All of those numbers come while playing the 14th-most coverage snaps among all safeties in 2021. So it's not like Mathieu was doing all of this in limited action.
What makes this all the more impressive is Mathieu allowed the lowest passer rating among all defensive backs with at least 129 coverage snaps in the slot last year. His three interceptions only fell to second-most, as well.
Again, that list includes cornerbacks, too. When strictly looking at the numbers, the Honeybadger was as good as any slot corner in the NFL.
In today's NFL, you have to have a viable slot defender if you want to field an effective defense. Mathieu -among others- has been just that for the Chiefs and it's a big reason why he's considered to be one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
