Zaven Collins

Career StatsB-

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		84	263	12.0	2
2025		17	40	1.5	0
2024		17	57	5.0	0
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Cardinals made a safe but uninspiring move locking up Zaven Collins at $7.0M AAV, earning a C CVI that reflects a fair market deal for a depth piece linebacker. While Collins has shown flashes since being drafted in the first round, his production profile remains that of a role player rather than the impact defender Arizona envisioned when they selected him 16th overall in 2021. At 25 years old, Collins is entering what should be his prime years, but the modest two-year commitment with $11.3M guaranteed suggests the Cardinals view him more as organizational depth than a cornerstone defender. The contract structure provides reasonable protection for Arizona while giving Collins a chance to prove he deserves a more lucrative extension down the line. This deal essentially represents the Cardinals hedging their bets on a former first-rounder who hasn't quite lived up to his draft pedigree but still offers value as a versatile linebacker who can contribute across multiple defensive packages.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Zaven's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Zaven Collins is a five-year NFL veteran linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals who has established himself as a capable two-down defender with solid range and instincts. The 27-year-old has logged 84 career games and remains a regular in the team's defensive scheme despite an inconsistent recent trajectory. Collins earned a B-minus grade overall, reflecting a player whose best football may be behind him as production trends downward over the past two seasons. This season, Collins has averaged 2.35 tackles per game, slightly above the NFL average of 2.19 and demonstrating adequate volume in run defense. However, his pass-rush impact has lagged, posting just 0.09 sacks per game against the league average of 0.15—a notable shortfall that limits his value in coverage and blitz scenarios. His tackle-for-loss rate of 0.32 per game marginally exceeds the 0.27 benchmark, though not enough to offset deficiencies in generating negative plays or disrupting opposing offenses at the point of attack. Collins' performance grade dropped from a C in 2024 to a C-minus this season, extending a troubling two-year decline that began with a D-plus campaign in 2023. The downward trend suggests diminishing athleticism or strategic fit rather than a single-season aberration. Moving forward, Collins will need to prove he can stabilize production and reclaim value in Arizona's linebacker rotation; otherwise, the Cardinals may explore younger alternatives to fill the position long-term.

How Zaven Compares at the Position

Zaven Collins ranks 85th of 339 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Zaven between Zach Cunningham (B-) just ahead and Kyle Van Noy (B-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Zaven Collins enters 2026 as a reliable depth linebacker for Arizona with modest but steady career production (12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles across five seasons). Media coverage remains largely neutral and functional—training camp previews and statistical recaps dominate, with no significant controversy or injury concerns flagged. The 'dodged a bullet' reference suggests the Cardinals organization views him favorably relative to offseason roster decisions, indicating internal confidence in his role. Fan perception tracks with his contract tier ($7M annually): a competent rotational defender without Pro Bowl aspirations or elite-tier expectations. Collins' 2026 narrative will hinge on consistent snap counts and tackle production rather than breakout performance or accolade-chasing.