In a league that drastically rewards point scoring while beating down defenses every step of the way, versatile defensive backs are worth their weight in gold. Enter Tyrann Mathieu, an NFL secondary employee who can play pretty much every spot including the rough nickel slot.

The five-year vet's versatility also has many wondering exactly how he'll fit into his new secondary with the Houston Texans. Bill O'Brien offered up the first clue, via Aaron Williams of the Houston Chronicle.

“We talked about that when we were speaking to him during the process,” Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. “We told him that we really do value – as you know – we value versatility, but we also understand that a guy needs to have basically one home. He needs to understand and master that one home, which is safety for Tyrann. Then, in different packages that are played less of the time, maybe he does something else.”

Safety is the thousand dollar answer. It makes sense considering that's the main position Mathieu's played in the league where they play for pay (five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals). Still, his versatility in having the ability to drop down as the third cover corner in the dirty slot area offers a defensive gameplan an incredible advantage.

“When you watch him in these sessions that we've had, you can see a guy that's very instinctive, that moves well and that can probably do a few different things for us, but we're going to start him at safety and let him hone in on that. Then eventually we will do other things in other packages with him.”

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Mathieu, 26, is a one-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro circa 2015 out of the desert. In five seasons with the Cards, he's tallied 11 interceptions, four sacks and 281 tackles. Playing in 66 games of a total 80, injuries have hurt the early portion of his career up to this point.

In Houston, he'll be joining an all-world class that includes J.J. Watt and Jadaveon Clowney.