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 delivers production that earns a B- performance grade against LB comps. The 27-year-old fifth-year veteran operated as a reliable workhorse in 2025, logging 40 tackles across 17 games while contributing 1.5 sacks—a solid tackling output from a player tasked with sideline-to-sideline coverage responsibilities. His durability is a strength; appearing in all 17 games demonstrates the consistency Arizona values at the position, particularly for a defense that struggled across the board in a 3-14 season. The sack production, however, exposes a limitation: 1.5 sacks over a full campaign reveals Collins lacks the pass-rush impact that elevates linebackers into premium territory, casting him as a coverage-first option rather than a disruptive force. At $7 million annually, his contract positioning reflects exactly what he is—a dependable above-average starter whose ceiling appears defined but whose floor remains secure. Media framing around the scoop-and-score touchdown and the "dodged a bullet" narrative reinforce his standing as a respected if unspectacular piece of Arizona's linebacker corps, the type of stable contributor that championship rosters build around without celebrating as a franchise cornerstone.

How Zaven Compares at the Position

Zaven Collins ranks 84th of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Zaven between Byron Young (B-) just ahead and Jared Verse (B-) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Zaven Collins carries a B- sentiment grade heading into 2026, reflecting his status as a respected but unspectacular piece of Arizona's linebacker corps. The fifth-year veteran has cultivated a reputation as a dependable above-average starter, with his $7M AAV contract positioning him appropriately in the middle tier of NFL linebackers rather than among the elite names. Media coverage has been largely favorable, particularly around a highlight-reel scoop-and-score touchdown that generated positive buzz, while trade deadline speculation appears more opportunistic than indicative of genuine organizational concerns. Collins' five years of starting experience and 12 career sacks have established him as a known commodity whose ceiling feels defined but whose floor remains secure. The "dodged a bullet" narrative surrounding some recent development suggests he navigated potential controversy successfully, reinforcing his image as a stable, if not spectacular, defensive contributor. His consistent availability and modest statistical résumé have earned him respect without elevating him to premium status, making him the type of solid starter that championship teams rely on but rarely celebrate.