Don't be surprised if rookie CB Max Melton earns a chance to start for Arizona Cardinals

When the Arizona Cardinals traded their first pick in the second round of the NFL draft, dropping from No. 35 to 43 and picking up an extra third rounder, the worry was they might have taken themselves out of position to select one of the top remaining cornerbacks on the board.

And sure enough — when Cooper DeJean went to the Eagles, Kool-Aid McKinstry went to the Saints, and Kamari Lassiter went to the Patriots with the three picks right in front of Arizona — you could hear the groans emanating around the facility.

Then the Cardinals selected Max Melton out of Rutgers and upon retracing the scouting reports, all seemed right in the world again.

In the 5-foot-11, 193-pound Melton, Arizona landed itself a tenacious cover corner who started all 34 games he played during his final three seasons with the Scarlet Knights and totaled 114 tackles, eight interceptions, 30 passes defensed, a sack, a forced fumble and four fumble recoveries. He also blocked four punts on special teams and returned three punts for 61 yards.

The Cardinals proved last season they aren’t afraid to put rookies into starting roles if they earn it and Melton has a shot to start right away opposite Sean Murphy-Bunting at outside cornerback.

What abilities Max Melton gives the Cardinals' secondary

“He’s got a really good skill set,” defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said of Melton on Wednesday. “To play corner, you’re on an island, you’re in the fast lane, and you’ve got to be able to run, and you’ve got to be able to cover these elite receivers that are all over the NFL.

“Max has that skill set. He’s got really good speed. He has a feel to play the position. He can contest throws. He’s got long arms. His ceiling is really high as a player and I’m excited to get to work with him.”

What was Melton thinking when three cornerbacks were selected in a row right before him?

“It was a good sign. I knew my time was coming,” he said shortly after being drafted. “This is exactly where I was projected. … I was happy to be anywhere. I’m drafted. I just want to get in the building and get in that playbook and help my team win games.”

Nothing is promised. For Melton to beat out the likes of Garrett Williams, Starling Thomas V or Kei’Trel Clark, who all started games last season as rookies, he’s going to have to prove he deserves the right to start and play a prominent role.

“You’re going to put the best 11 on the field and a lot of times, that’s not the same 11 throughout a game,” Rallis said. “So multiple people are going to contribute in different roles and whether it’s a rookie or whether it’s a 10-year vet, you’re putting the guys that you feel put you in position that week to help you win a game.”

Melton played two seasons at Rutgers alongside his older brother, Bo, a wide receiver who is now with the Packers. The Cardinals will play in Green Bay this upcoming season and Max can’t wait. He said going up against Bo in practice every day made him a better cornerback.

Why the Cardinals selected him

He wasn’t shy when asked what made him the right pick for the Cardinals at No. 43.

“I’m a lockdown corner,” he said. “I can lock down anybody. I ran a 4.39. I can jump out of the gym. I can jump far and I’m a real athlete. I can play inside and outside – versatility. I’m on special teams. I’m a willing special teams player. I don’t just go out there and just play for the sake of playing.”

Melton twice has had the challenge of covering wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the Cardinals’ first pick in the draft, and both times Melton held his own in man-on-man situations.

“I would have loved it if I would have caught a pick and held him to zero yards,” he said. “I think the first year he had two catches for eight, maybe nine yards and the second year he had four catches for 24 yards and only one of them was on me in man coverage. I think it was one catch for like two yards. I think I did pretty good.”

Harrison, who did catch three touchdowns against Rutgers the past two years, liked the selection of Melton by the Cardinals.

“Always respected his game,” he posted on X.

Melton said he saw that and he appreciated the gesture.

“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “I can’t wait to meet bro off the field. It’s a little different on the field. I can’t wait to meet bro off the field.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: CB Max Melton could play his way into starting role for Cardinals