Cardinals Expecting Big Jump From Zaven Collins
ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals switched Zaven Collins from inside linebacker to edge this past season in hopes of bolstering production for pressures, sacks, etc. on the outside.
Collins struggled in his rookie campaign off the ball but did manage to bounce back nicely in his second season - but the Cardinals were banking on Collins' size, speed and production getting to the passer coming out of Tulsa to potentially carryover to his new position in 2023.
Collins didn''t shine in the box score - tallying just 41 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 17 games.
It's tough to expect Collins to transition from two years of ILB to an edge rusher, and to his credit, he did well in run support - an often overlooked aspect.
With Collins' fifth-year option due later this offseason, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort said the linebacker did well all things considered - though a jump is expected heading into his second season on the edge.
"I thought Zaven had a good year," Ossenfort said at the NFL Combine.
"We went through a transition year positionally. I thought Zaven made great strides. He played a lot of snaps for us. With him, like all players, we expect to see a jump from year one to year two, with his comfort level and getting used to the position."
With Collins rushing the passer alongside BJ Ojulari and Dennis Gardeck on the edge, the Cardinals tallied a mere 33 sacks in 2023 - only the Chicago Bears (30) and Carolina Panthers (27) got to the quarterback less.
Collins' fifth-year option would cost Arizona $14.4 million and that number could jump to $20 million if Collins earns a Pro Bowl nod season.
Not everybody is convinced the option will be picked up, which would mark the second year in a row where the Cardinals opted to bypass it after Arizona declined Isaiah Simmons' fifth-year after 2022:
If declined, Collins would become a free agent following the 2024 season. He's just 24-years-old.
