Hits or Misses? Grading the 2021 Arizona Cardinals draft class

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 23: Zaven Collins #23 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane runs in a touchdown after intercepting a pass thrown by Noah Johnson #0 of the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on October 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Zaven Collins, LB/Tulsa

An unexpected selection, it appears Steve Keim is looking to build a dynamic duo of young linebackers between Collins and Isaiah Simmons. Like Simmons, Collins was a top-rated linebacker coming out of Tulsa and won a plethora of awards in 2020.

He definitely has the credentials of a first-round pick. Also, the Cardinals can ease him into the lineup in 2021 much like they did with Simmons in 2020 because of Jordan Hicks‘ presence. Or if they use him on the edge, he can rotate in with Chandler Jones, Dennis Gardeck, and Markus Golden.

But that’s the issue I have with this pick. Linebacker was one of the team’s strongest position groups. The Cardinals had more pressing needs plus the opportunity to trade down and collect more picks. Instead, Keim wasted the pick by trying to upgrade a strong position group.

The Cardinals could have and should have gone with either a wide receiver, running back, or cornerback, their most pressing needs. You can argue that they could do without running back given James Conner‘s and Chase Edmonds‘ presence, but they’re committee backs.

Overall, Collins was a top talent and had a decorated college career. But he played marginal competition at a small Division I FBS School. He can develop into a star player. But my immediate afterthought is that it’s a wasted draft pick.

Grade – D: Collins was a man among boys at Tulsa. His credentials give him credibility, but the Cardinals had far more pressing needs than to take an overachiever at a small school. If you had a headache watching the NFL Draft on Thursday, this selection probably perpetuated it.

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