Arizona Cardinals 2021 draft class performing better than you think

The Arizona Cardinals 2021 draft class looked like a wasteland of busts following last season. So far in 2022, a few picks have shined. 

When you looked at the final statistics of the Arizona Cardinals 2021 draft class, Rondale Moore emerged as its best player, which wasn’t saying much. Earlier in the year, we penned a few articles on how quickly Moore was deteriorating into the next great bust at wide receiver.

We had similar takes on how poorly things were going for Zaven Collins and fourth round pick Marco Wilson. Given general manager Steve Keim’s horrendous draft record, which includes perennial busts like Robert Nkemdiche and Josh Rosen while the jury remains out on Isaiah Simmons, the 2021 class appears to be turning the corner.

Let’s check out three picks who are currently salvaging the draft class, and if they can continue to perform at a high level.

1 – Zaven Collins

Collins has 49 combined tackles, four tackles behind the line, two sacks, and a forced fumble. While these are not Pro Bowl numbers, he has been a pivotal part of helping the Arizona Cardinals improve what was a horrendous rushing defense last season.

In 2021, Collins barely played, and it raised eyebrows considering everyone in the Cardinals organization expected him to start from Day One. That didn’t happen, but this season, the second-year linebacker is on pace to record 120 tackles and eight stop behind the line. Again, they are not Pro Bowl-worthy, but they are solid numbers that should only improve in time.

2 – Rondale Moore

While Moore’s catch percentage has sunk from 84% to 68%, his 17 receptions in four games is a massive improvement over the 3.9 per game he secured in 2021. He also has 159 yards on those 17 receptions, good for 9.4 yards per catch;  a 1.3-yard increase over last season. Moore has yet to score a receiving touchdown, but if he stays healthy, he is on pace for 60 catches and 557 yards, an improvement over last season.

With the likes of Robbie Anderson, DeAndre Hopkins, and the hopeful return of Marquise Brown in a few weeks, I highly doubt Moore will reach those numbers. However, he has shown he can step in and perform in the absence of players like Hopkins, given his 13 catches and 117 receiving yards in Weeks 5 and 6 this season. At worst, Moore is a solid depth piece and a surehanded target in the slot.

3 – Marco Wilson

Wilson scored on a pick six last Thursday against the New Orleans Saints, and it has continued what has been a much-improved season from a corner who was outright terrible in his rookie campaign. Last year, Wilson’s 70.3% catch percentage allowed and opposing quarterback rating of 120.8 was one of the worst in football. He also allowed a staggering six touchdown receptions.

This year has been a different story. Wilson has his pick six, allowed a 56.3% completion percentage, one touchdown, and just a 77.4 quarterback rating in seven contests. As with Collins, Wilson’s numbers are nowhere near Pro Bowl caliber, but his improvement indicates he just may be a solid CB2 moving forward.

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(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)