2021 1st round pick is Zaven Collins

[Brian in Mesa]

Collins was ready to go from the moment he realized he was becoming a Cardinal.

“Steve, we’re gonna f–king kill everyone,” Collins told G.M. Steve Keim. “We’re gonna kill everyone. . . . We’re gonna get a Super Bowl ring so f–king big on our finger that show dogs wouldn’t be able to jump over it.”

 

[PDXChris]

Thoughts 7 games in?

He's played 100% of the snaps in 5 of 7 games.

He projects to have about 115 tackles, 5 sacks, 9 TFL and 2 to 3 force fumbles. Those would be nearly identical to Hicks last year.

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[RON_IN_OC]

Thoughts 7 games in?

He's played 100% of the snaps in 5 of 7 games.

He projects to have about 115 tackles, 5 sacks, 9 TFL and 2 to 3 force fumbles. Those would be nearly identical to Hicks last year.

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He's young and will only get better. He isn't near his ceiling yet.

 

[BritCard]

Thoughts 7 games in?

He's played 100% of the snaps in 5 of 7 games.

He projects to have about 115 tackles, 5 sacks, 9 TFL and 2 to 3 force fumbles. Those would be nearly identical to Hicks last year.

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Young Hicks with far more to go.

Getting better every game.

 

[Stout]

The jury is very much still out, but there has been improvement.

 

[TheCardFan]

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[HairZach]

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I really hope this works out.

 

[PACardsFan]

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I’m fine with that. The NFL Channel replayed the 2nd Cardinals/Seahawks game the other night. He played the edge about half that game & had a pick 6 while playing edge. I’m expecting a solid to very good season from Collins this year.

 

[Chopper0080]

I really hope this works out.

If we talk about players filling roles similar to what they did in college, Collins playing outside fits. Playing outside in a 3-3 is more akin to playing outside in a 3-4 or a DE in a 4-3 than ILB. Not saying it will make him significantly "better" player but he should look like less of a fish out of water.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Please Rich Gannon and Nick Rallis, give us a defense we can be proud of.

 

[HairZach]

If we talk about players filling roles similar to what they did in college, Collins playing outside fits. Playing outside in a 3-3 is more akin to playing outside in a 3-4 or a DE in a 4-3 than ILB. Not saying it will make him significantly "better" player but he should look like less of a fish out of water.

I am a big Collins believer, I'm excited to see him on the outside.

 

[BritCard]

Always should have been an OLB as I said back at the start of this thread.

Collins is 6'5". 260lbs. 34" arms. Runs 4.66. That's OLB traits.

I don't think he will be there all the time. People had Simmons playing the Reddick role which was a mixture of positions. I think that will be Collins. I think Collins will play the Sam backer a bunch. Sometimes off the ball, but mostly not.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Jesus what a trainwreck the Collins and Simmons picks have been.

Are we going to have to watch both players go somewhere else and be great like Riddick and De Vondre Campbell? That sucks so bad. It's like the 2000 oughts with RBs all over again.

 

[TheCardFan]

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[dreamcastrocks]

So they are moving Collins to where a lot of us think that Simmons should be. Hmm.

 

[BirdGangThing]

So they are moving Collins to where a lot of us think that Simmons should be. Hmm.

And Victor Zero-NFL-Sacks Dimukeje?

 

[HairZach]

So they are moving Collins to where a lot of us think that Simmons should be. Hmm.

I think Simmons would be a terrible pass rusher, he might be the worst player on the team at shedding blocks.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

The single best thing about the new coaching staff is we may finally get good LB play since Bill Davis isn’t there to ruin the draft picks.
Collins May turn out good. JJ Watt really liked him.

 

[football karma]

I think Simmons would be a terrible pass rusher, he might be the worst player on the team at shedding blocks.

probably better at blitzing, but not a true edge guy

i think he will be a safety, and i think Jalen Thompson is likely a slot corner, with Budda as the third safety

 

[Dayman]

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[DVontel]

So they are moving Collins to where a lot of us think that Simmons should be. Hmm.

Simmons shouldn’t be anywhere near EDGE.

 

[BritCard]

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Zaven doing about 1.5 for every 1 of Dimukeje

 

[BritCard]

I think Simmons would be a terrible pass rusher, he might be the worst player on the team at shedding blocks.

Yup. The whole Simmons to Edge thing baffles me. One of the reason's he's sucked at LB is because he can't get off blocks and he can't process quick enough.

So let's move him nearer the ball where he has less processing time and always has to get off blocks. Makes sense...

The fact this new staff has come in, watched Simmons tape and thought "This guy needs to move away from the ball" gives me confidence in this staff.

It was always apparent from his college tape he was a safety. Zero instincts to play in the box. If he's down in the box you need to give him 1 specific job to do that requires no thought.

At this stage I think it's more likely he busts out of the league within the next few years than ever makes a good player. All athletic traits and no natural feel for the game.

However he's used it has to be facing the ball. He's shocking with his back to it.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Zaven Collins plans to get after QB more often after move to outside linebacker - ProFootballTalk

The Cardinals installed 2021 first-round pick Zaven Collins as a starter at inside linebacker last season, but the change in coaching staffs this offseason has led to a new role for his third season.Collins has moved to outside linebacker this spring and he’s spent the last couple of months...

profootballtalk.nbcsports.com

 

[TheCardFan]

I don't think Simmons should be playing edge but he should be blitzing a lot more.