Bleacher Report names a player for every team who should be traded. Collins is that guy for the Cardinals.
At this time of year, when we look at NFL rosters, some positions on some teams look like they have players who will need a change of scenery, for one reason or another. For example, the Arizona Cardinals completely retooled their defensive line and their edge defender rooms.
That could leave a contributor from a previous season with a lesser role.
Sometimes, they don’t fit as well. Other times, it is a case of a contract.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport named a player on each roster who should be traded. For the Cardinals, it is outside linebacker Zaven Collins.
Back in 2021, the Arizona Cardinals made edge-rusher Zaven Collins the 16th overall pick in the NFL draft. But Collins didn’t actually start his professional career as an edge-rusher—the 6’5” 260-pounder spent the first two seasons of his career as an off-ball linebacker before kicking outside in 2023.
The results have been disappointing. Collins has shown some flashes, but he just hasn’t been able to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Last year’s five sacks marked a career high, but with Josh Sweat now in the desert, Baron Browning back after joining the Cardinals in-season last year and BJ Ojulari returning from injury, Collins could find himself toward the back end of the pass-rushing rotation in Arizona.
Collins signed a two-year, $14 million extension last fall, so his salary is hardly cost-prohibitive. There could be a team out there that believes it can do a better job of unlocking Collins’ talent than the Cardinals have.
And a change of scenery could be the best thing for the 26-year-old.
As noted, the Cardinals spent big money on Sweat. They gave Browning almost the same deal that Collins has and Ojulari is coming back. Plus, they drafted Jordan Burch in the third round. Will Collins still get playing time?
Well, we have to remember that the coaches on Arizona’s staff love Collins. And while some might be disappointed in his sack totals, he did lead the team with five last season. And getting sacks aren’t his greatest skill.
However, he is a very good player at all the other things an edge rusher should do. He sets the edge and plays the run extremely well. He moves in coverage well. He can kick inside. He works hard. We can expect him to probably be the base-down starter with Sweat.
Would a change of scenery work for him? Perhaps, but he is in the final year of his contract. That will likely happen next offseason.
Trading him now without knowing what the other players will be like, especially when the team knows that, in a moment, the best laid plans can be ruined by injuries (Ojulari last season, followed by Dennis Gardeck’s torn ACL in the season).
The Cardinals might make trades before the season, but don’t expect Collins to be one of those guys.
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