2021 NFL Draft: Recap and analysis of every pick for all 32 teams
Scouting Report. . . 32. Pick Analysis. NFC West. Arizona Cardinals. player
1 (16): Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Not many 260-pound players can move around at the linebacker position quite like Zaven Collins. The Cardinals were ecstatic to get this guy and understandably so.
After last year’s top pick of Isaiah Simmons, the Cardinals bring in Collins to be yet another versatile threat at linebacker who can play off the edge, in coverage, or against the run. He also proved to be one of the most clutch defensive players in college football the past couple of seasons.
2 (49): Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Despite not being the biggest player on the field, Moore is one of the strongest and most explosive players in this draft class, pound-for-pound.
I don’t know what this pick means for the future of some other former high draft selections at receiver, but Moore is going to play immediately and be an offense creator for a loaded Cardinals wide receiver position group.
4 (136): Marco Wilson, DB, Florida
An early starter at Florida, Wilson is an elite athlete among elite athletes with speed and explosiveness.
He could project as a nickel at the next level but he will undoubtedly have an impact on special teams.
6 (210): Victor Dimukeje, EDGE, Duke
Dimukeje is a rocked up edge player who is going to have to diversify his pass rush approach to stick in the NFL, but he’s got the power off the edge to be valuable in a rotation.
6 (223): Tay Gowan, DB, UCF
Many NFL Draft pundits loved Tay Gowan in the pre-draft process and for solid reason. He showed tremendous ball production in a limited sample size at the college level.
7 (243): James Wiggins, S, Cincinnati
How in the world did James Wiggins fall to this point of the draft? He was an All-American this past season who showed tremendous traits at his pro day. Injuries are the only answer for his fall here but the Cardinals could have yet another steal on their hands.
7 (247): Michael Menet, C, Penn State
Although he will be 24 as a rookie, Menet is another player whose tape far exceeds his draft position here. The Cardinals got a guy who looks like a future NFL starter at the position in round seven. He will have the chance to learn behind Rodney Hudson and factor into the interior line rotation for Arizona.