The Arizona Cardinals selected linebacker Zaven Collins out of Tulsa 16th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Collins is another versatile piece for an Arizona defense that already features multi-position starters in Isaiah Simmons and Budda Baker.
The Cardinals reshaped their stop unit this offseason, adding J.J. Watt and Malcolm Butler, among others. Chandler Jones is also set to return in 2021 after missing most of last season with a torn bicep.
Arizona lost Haason Reddick in free agency, leaving Collins to potentially play a similar role early in his NFL career as an outside linebacker who receives pass-rush snaps.
Draft profile
Key stats: 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 4 INTs
A massive off-ball linebacker with the ability to key, diagnose, and explode downhill, Collins would be a notable prospect for his upside in the run game alone. Add in the fact that his instincts also show up in the passing game, and he just may be the perfect blend of old school and new. Collins' physicality doesn't match his frame at this point, but that's something that can be addressed at the next level. If NFL coaching and training programs help his play strength and technique when it comes to taking on blocks, the sky is the limit.
