One of the keys for the Arizona Cardinals in 2024 will be to improve the level of play on the defensive side of the ball. One of the players who could be at the front of the turnaround is linebacker Zaven Collins.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis spoke about Collins in a press conference with the media, with the full press conference uploaded by the team to their YouTube channel.
“He’s looked really good, he knows he has to continue to take strides in every area of his game. Certain things that I know he has honed on that he wants to improve that me, him, and [Outside Linebackers Coach] Rob Rodriguez have devised a plan on here’s where you can take your game to the next level. I’m really excited to see where Zaven’s going to go this year.”
Originally an edge rusher at Tulsa, he was drafted 16th overall by the Cardinals in the 2021 NFL Draft and moved to inside linebacker under Vance Joseph’s scheme. After playing sparingly in his rookie year, he was an every-down player for them, logging 98% of the defensive snaps in 2022.
When Jonathan Gannon arrived, the Cardinals would have a scheme change that put Collins’ fit in doubt. They moved him to the defensive end position, playing on the edge of the line of scrimmage like in college. Collins turned in a solid, yet unspectacular season logging 41 tackles, six hurries, two knockdowns, and 3.5 sacks.
While he was strong in the run game, edge rushers get paid on their ability to pressure the quarterback. The Cardinals declined his fifth-year option, worth $13.2 million. He’ll be a free agent after the 2024 season, but a good season could have him in a position to get a nice contract next spring.
Collins has the versatility to play on the edge or play at the second level, giving Rallis a solid edge setter on early downs in the run game while also a moveable chess piece when he wants to dial up pressure. Having played in multiple spots already in his NFL career, there are a lot of options he brings to the defense. His game is very similar to Kyle Van Noy when he played with the New England Patriots from 2016 to 2019.
“As a coach, I love the guy and the versatility he brings,” said Rallis. “I’ve harped on that a lot, but I’m excited to see him improve his game in every aspect.”
It will be interesting to see how the Cardinals deploy Collins in 2024. Second-year edge rusher B.J. Ojulari will get a bigger role and Collins will be sharing snaps with him and Dennis Gardeck on the edge.
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
