During the first series of the Arizona Cardinals' Week 1 matchup with the New Orleans Saints last season, Tyrann Mathieu played at the nickel back position on first down versus a bunch formation. On second down, Mathieu rolled to the deep middle of the field -- as a true free safety -- for a play. Third down? Mathieu aligned in the box, right off the ball, as a run-stopper. That drill continued throughout the game -- and the season, really -- until Mathieu went down with a knee injury.
This guy isn't a safety, or a corner, or a nickel, or a even a dime linebacker. Mathieu is a monsterback, the new hybrid player in the NFL. Play the pass. Play the run. Blitz. Win matchups in space. Find the ball. Finish. Tackle. These cats are physical, fast and play-making chess pieces in the game plan. And every team is looking for one.
Mathieu is the top monsterback in today's game, but who else makes the cut? And which defensive rookies are on deck, the future studs with the size, speed and matchup ability? Let's rank the top monsterbacks in both categories.
Top veterans
1. Tyrann Mathieu, Arizona Cardinals: Cover a top receiver? Check. Drop down to blitz? Yep. Show the range to play over the top of the defense? You got it. Mathieu's versatility is off the charts. And his play-making skills are ridiculous. Always around the ball, Mathieu is a coach's dream.
2. Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers: Kuechly is today's version of Brian Urlacher. A linebacker with speed, physicality and the natural instincts to find the ball. He's a tackling machine with the immediate burst to shut the door on balls thrown inside of the numbers.
3. Jamie Collins, New England Patriots: Collins is a creative weapon in the Patriots' system. A game plan nightmare for opposing offenses. He can play in box, rush the quarterback or match up in space. And he can run, too. For how big his is (6-3, 250), this is really freakish stuff.
4. Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks: At 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, Chancellor is a thumper at the point of attack with a 6-foot-3, 232 pound frame. But he also showcases the skill set to match up to tight ends, roll to the deep middle of the field and close -- with speed -- on the ball. That's a nasty combination. He's a force in the Seahawks' Cover 3 scheme. And when he tackles, ball carriers are going to feel it
5. Mark Barron, Los Angeles Rams: With the footwork of a defensive back, Barron can get a jump on the ball as an underneath defender. But this guy plays a ton of roles in L.A. The former safety can blitz, play the weak side linebacker position and create chaos as a dime back. He's a joker in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' exotic scheme.
Top rookies
1. Myles Jack, Jacksonville Jaguars: Turn on Jack's college tape and you might think this guy was a safety -- or even a nickel back. He's got it all: speed, change of direction ability and pure athleticism. Knee concerns forced Jack to slide on draft day, but when healthy, he can play anywhere in a defensive sub-package. Unique talent.
2. Su'a Cravens, Washington Redskins: Look for Cravens to become the hybrid linebacker/dime back in the Redskins' defense this season. He has enough size (6-foot-1, 226 pounds) to stop the run and enough athletic ability to close on the ball in space. Cravens is natural football player. Coaches will love this dude.
3. Darron Lee, New York Jets: With 4.47 speed, Lee will generate havoc in the Jets' pressure-happy scheme. Drafted on potential, with a frame that will bulk up, he has the matchup ability to run with receivers down the field. You don't see that often.
4. Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders: A missile to the ball -- he forced eight fumbles at West Virginia -- Joseph combines speed and toughness. He can can hit. I mean, he lights people up. Drop him underneath on third downs and let him hunt.
5. Keanu Neal, Atlanta Falcons: A safety with size (6-foot, 211 pounds), closing speed and the toughness to get dirty in the box, Neal is the Falcons' version of Chancellor. When he recovers from a minor preseason knee injury, he'll be an absolutely nightmare for any running game, and be on receivers' minds as they come across the middle.