ARIZONA CARDINALS
Reactions pour in after Cardinals pick Zaven Collins in NFL Draft
Apr 29, 2021, 7:55 PM | Updated: 10:13 pm
Zaven Collins #23 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane celebrates after intercepting Noah Johnson #0 of the South Florida Bulls and running in a 38-yard touchdown during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 23, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
We’ve got our newest Arizona Cardinal. The franchise selected Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins with the 16th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday.
Collins, the fourth defensive player taken in this year’s draft, has been lauded for his coverage skills.
Nagurski and Bednarik awards winner LB Zaven Collins from Tulsa is headed to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 16. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/wBCa9WkNp0
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 30, 2021
Highest coverage grade we’ve ever recorded by a LB
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 30, 2021
With Collins in coverage alongside last year’s first-round pick Isaiah Simmons, it’s hard to not get excited about the possibilities for Arizona’s defense.
Man, Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins in the same defense. Love it.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) April 30, 2021
Awesome pick by the @AZCardinals Zaven Collins is a big athletic freak who can do everything on your front seven except play defensive tackle. I think u can put him at mlb with Simmons and say get the ball.
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 30, 2021
Great pick by #AZ perfect fit for that scheme!!!!
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) April 30, 2021
Another gem from Steve Keim.
— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) April 30, 2021
Collins was welcomed to the team by some of his new teammates.
Gonna be fun, @ZavenCollins
Time to win a Super Bowl! https://t.co/L7NSS5we9l
— Zach Allen (@TheZALLEN44) April 30, 2021
Let’s get to it Big Fella! @ZavenCollins
— Kyler Murray (@K1) April 30, 2021
Welcome to the squad @ZavenCollins
Let’s work. #RedSea
(it’s a dry heat.)
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 30, 2021
Zayven Collins is highlyyyyyy underrated
— Chase Edmonds (@ChaseEdmonds22) April 30, 2021
There was a fair share of negative fan reactions to the pick, with fans primarily looking for another weapon offensively or a replacement at cornerback for Patrick Peterson.
That’s it! This pick seals the deal. 21 years of being a die hard Cardinals fan and I get rewarded with this abysmal draft pick. I am embarrassed to call myself a fan of this franchise. I’m gonna go to Foxborough where they know how to run a real NFL dynasty
— Jimmy Chen (@LaCanucks) April 30, 2021
Well at least the suns play tomorrow
— ray (@rquin08x) April 30, 2021
— Joyuh (@JonahCarlson15) April 30, 2021
Too early
— RedSea(0-0) (@PrimeTimeRURS) April 30, 2021
well this draft sucks
— VALLEY BOYZ💜🧡🏁 (@Ceds_11) April 30, 2021
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This past year, Collins produced 54 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and four interceptions — including a a 96-yard pick-six — in just eight games. Collins was acknowledged as the nation’s best defensive player, winning the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards.
The 6-foot-4, 260 pound linebacker was a true thumper in the second level, a player who can drop and has enough speed to hang in coverage despite his frame.
