Starting Zaven Collins at MILB and Baron Browning in the "Reddick OLB Role" is a Win-Win for the Cardinals' 2025 Defense
Opinion: This is the ideal starting lineup for the Cardinals' defense in 2025:
LOLB Baron Browning
LDE Calais Campbell
NT Dalvin Tomlinson
RDE Darius Robinson
ROLB Josh Sweat
MILB Zaven Collins
WILB Owen Pappoe
LCB Will Johnson
SS Budda Baker
FS Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
RCB Garrett Williams
Some might say, wait, isn't Zaven Collins the starter at LOLB?
Well, guess what? This was reported yesterday by ESPN's Josh Weinfuss:
In my mind, this is a glory halleluiah development.
Not only would Zaven Collins return to his most natural position, where at 6-5, 258 he can shed blockers and wreak thunderous havoc in defending the run --- and with his superior length and agility be the type of zone coverage playmaker the Cardinals have been severely lacking at inside linebacker.
When I think of Zaven Collins, I think he's a more rugged and imposing version of Karlos Dansby, the best ILB the Arizona Cardinals have had.
All three of the Cardinals' NFC West opponents feature prolific rushing attacks with highly talented RBs such as Kyren Williams (LAR), Christian McCaffrey (SFO) and Kenneth Walker III (SEA). No Cardinals linebacker on the current roster is better suited to take the romance out of their vaunted off-tackle runs than Zaven Collins.
At the 2021 NFL Combine, Collins, measured at 6-4 7/8, 259 pounds, with 33 5/8" arms --- and ran a 4.65 40, a 4.36 20-yard shuttle and jumped a 35" vertical. These are uncanny numbers for a player Zaven's size. For example, Collins has virtually the same speed as Fred Warner (4.64) who is 2 inches shorter and 28 pounds lighter
Karlos Dansby's pre-draft measurements: 6-3, 257, 33 3/8" arms --- ran a 4.60 40, a 4.49 2-yard shuttle and jumped a 34.5" vertical. Again, uncanny.
Think of how daunting Zaven Collins could be in pass coverage over the middle for opposing QBs --- at 6-5, 33 5/8" arms and a 35" vertical. That's a whole lot of tipped passes and interceptions waiting to happen. Plus, think of how WRs, RBs and TEs would have to think twice about catching the ball with Zaven Collins lowering the boom, post-catch.
The Cardinals opponents roaming the middle of the defense fear Budda Baker --- and now think of how they would fear Zaven Collins.
If the coaches start Zaven Collins at MILB, placing Owen Pappoe, with his blazing 4.39 speed beside the 2020 Bronko Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik and Vince Lombardi Award winner (a college linebacker's rare trifecta) would give the Cardinals a "thunder and lightning" tandem in the middle of their defense, the likes of which Cardinals' fans have not seen since 2014 when Karlos Dansby was paired with Daryl Washington.
Furthermore, by moving Collins inside, the coaches can upgrade the Cardinals' pass rush by starting Baron Browning at LOLB --- which, get this --- is essentially moving Browning into the "Reddick Role" that was so dynamic in Philadelphia during their Super Bowl run in 2022.
A stellar Win-Win for the Cardinals' defense, if the coaches make it happen.
No Mack, no ACG? I like the starting DL personnel and I'd love to see Pappoe work out as a long term starter.
ReplyDelete61, there are reasons why the Browns and Patriots did not use Mack Wilson Sr. at MILB. The Patriots moved him around between WILB and OLB. Like with Kyzir, you appreciate the effort and enthusiasm, but in the NFC as we have known for years, the MILB has to be instinctive, fast and rangy enough to cover Kyren Williams, Christian McCaffrey and Kenneth Walker III on wheel routes. And the Cardinals keep playing hybrid MILBs who have little to no chance of covering the wheel.
DeleteI always felt the move of Collins from ILB to OLB was a question mark for yr1 coaching staff. Moving Collins back to fill ILB makes sense as his OLB performance was meh.
ReplyDeleteSame, RR, imo it was a rash move meant to lessen the blow of passing on Will Anderson Jr. that not only weakened the MILB position by taking Zaven out, but also the WILB position as well (seeing as Kyzir White's best season as a pro was at WILB under JG/NR). Playing MILB, as you clearly know and understand, is a whole different ball of wax.
DeleteCorrect me if I'm wrong, but didn't ZC play MILB in 2022 and it didn't go well?
ReplyDeleteCF4L85, under Vance Joseph and Billy Davis did any ILB play well? Seems they were taught to let the play come to them 5 yards downfield, as was so often the case with Jordan Hicks. That said, Zaven in 2022 had 100 tackles, 2 sacks and an interception and a 70.1 grade in coverage.
DeleteGood point, Walt. I'm excited to see this defense on the field. IMO, the names you outlined above are underrated. Much more talent than people give us credit for.
DeleteAlso, looking at Walt's list, this defense is going to be nasty. And with the additions this offseason, I'm sure Budda and the boys are going to feast. Just the other day, Rabbit compared the front to the Great Wall in China.
ReplyDeleteI like this lineup. Would be great to see some of the players drafted on D start to have an impact. Lots of depth currently on the Dline and I think we got some dudes at corner too. I think it makes a lot of sense to move ZC back to MILB. Knock on wood we have these guys healthy game 1.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
DeleteFinally!
ReplyDeleteWhen Josh Weinfuss asked JG yesterday about Zaven playing ILB, he said Zaven is still going to play OLB, but they at times want to use his versatility. Ugh.
DeleteMay the best 11 play. If that means Sweat, Browning and ZC on the field at the same time, so be it.
ReplyDelete