The Arizona Cardinals are going all in with their last two first-round picks at linebacker. Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins will be the two starting inside linebackers and Jordan Hicks, who was team captain and has played more than 1,000 snaps in each of his two seasons with the team, might not be on the team this year.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals are making Collins, whom they selected 16th overall in the 2021 draft, the immediate starter, replacing Hicks. Hicks has been given permission to seek a trade to another team.
1st round draft picks can change plans: The #AZCardinals picked LB Zaven Collins 16th overall, and he is now the starting MIKE backer. The team has given Jordan Hicks permission to find a new home via trade, source said. Hicks is a respected leader & AZ wants to do right by him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 12, 2021
This is a surprising move.
General manager Steve Keim made it clear Collins was expected to play “early and often” as a rookie. However, most (including yours truly) felt he would be given a specific role early on and then eventually supplant Hicks.
According to Rapoport, Hicks remaining with the team is still a possibility. He could stay as a leader and backup but he wants to be given the opportunity to see if there is a better situation for him this season.
Jordan Hicks took a $3M paycut and now will make $2M base with a chance to make $1M in 2021. It’s possible he stays as a reserve/veteran voice. That hasn’t been ruled out. But first, he’ll gauge if there is a market for him. https://t.co/Bf1BQdZnD8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 12, 2021
Hicks already took a pay cut earlier in the offseason. If traded, the team who acquires him will be on the hook for his $2 million salary and roster bonuses up to $1 million. A $3 million maximum cap hit isn’t bad for a team needing a capable leader and linebacker.
Of course, if he is traded, it means the Cardinals are betting heavily on the play of both Collins and Simmons. They have fortified almost every position group with veterans this offseason. They are leaning on youth and athleticism at inside linebacker.
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