Top 100 NFL players entering the 2020 season: No. 40-31

38. Tyrann Mathieu, S, Kansas City Chiefs

In 2015, Mathieu came close to winning the Defensive Player of the Year award before a season-ending injury cut his campaign short. It took the Pro Bowler several seasons to recover, but Mathieu finally made his second AP All-Pro team in 2019. The Honey Badger received a First-Team All-Pro nod as a defensive back and a Second-Team All-Pro selection as a corner.

Surprisingly, Mathieu also claimed a spot on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2010s All-Decade Team as a defensive back. The unit featured Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, and Eric Weddle at safety while Chris Harris Jr. joined Mathieu as a defensive back add-on.

Since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2013, Mathieu has amassed 472 tackles, nine sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 17 interceptions, and 61 passes defensed. Analysts widely acknowledge him as one of the most versatile players in the entire league. On PFF’s All-Decade Top 101, Sam Monson details Mathieu’s versatility,

"In a league of versatile offensive players, Mathieu stands out as a hybrid answer to the many problems presented by opposing offenses. He is half safety and half slot cornerback, bringing a skill set that gives great flexibility to his defensive coordinators… At his peak, Mathieu is the perfect slot defender for today’s NFL, where he’s not only sound in coverage, but he also has three years with 80.0-plus grades as a run defender, allowing his defense to stop the run while maintaining coverage flexibility on the back end."

Mathieu played a massive role in leading Kansas City’s young secondary to Super Bowl glory last season. He embraces and embodies a leadership role, which is perhaps his greatest contribution.

37. Harrison Smith, S, Minnesota Vikings

Eight years into his career, Smith only has one First-Team All-Pro selection. The versatile safety also missed out on a spot on the All-Decade Team, which likely shot his chances at making the Hall of Fame. While the media doesn’t continuously sing Smith’s praises, he’s got at least one fan in New England.

Since entering the NFL in 2012, Smith has logged 658 tackles, 13 sacks, seven forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, 23 interceptions, and 56 passes defensed. He’s made the past five Pro Bowls, but the AP only rewarded him with two total All-Pro selections. Meanwhile, PFF gave Smith First-Team All-Pro nods in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Smith recorded the third-highest PFF grade among safeties last season, and he’s the third-highest ranked safety on this top 100.

Smith is one of the NFL’s most versatile safeties, as Monson details in PFF’s All-Decade Top 101,

"Smith has been a do-it-all safety for the Minnesota Vikings and has been equally comfortable in deep center field as he is in the box or covering the slot, whether that be against backs, tight ends or even wideouts. At his best, Smith has been the best safety in the league, and the fulcrum that allows Mike Zimmer’s defensive scheme to function."

Despite only entering his ninth season, Smith is already 31 years old. Hopefully, the Notre Dame product can string together a few more Pro Bowls and All-Pro selections before his prime ends.