It wasn't that long ago that defensive lineman L.J. Collier heard his name called as a first-round pick. It was a draft class that featured a few talented college quarterbacks, including Kyler Murray.
Having played against the top two picks in the draft earlier this season, and preparing for Drake Maye, the third overall pick, Collier has a good idea what's on deck.
"I grew up in the era of college when Kyler was there, so it's been there and guys are going to keep getting faster and stronger," Collier said. "That's why my mindset is a guy can run, even if you think he's slow. We've got to keep him in the pocket and he's an athletic kid and comes from an athletic family, so you've got to respect him."
After facing Caleb Williams in Week 9, Jayden Daniels in Week 4, and Maye this weekend, the Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans will be the only teams to face the top three picks from the 2024 draft. If J.J. McCarthy was healthy and starting, the Cardinals would've faced him when they went to Minnesota.
Every quarterback is different. Daniels had arguably the best game of his young career when the Commanders played the Cardinals, showcasing his mobility and the ability to throw it deep. When the Cardinals hosted the Bears, it was the defense that caused plenty of havoc, sacking Williams six times.
They're hoping to cause as much discomfort in the back field as Williams experienced.
"(Maye) is playing faster now," coach Jonathan Gannon said. "He's got a big arm and the extension shows up. That's real. He can beat you with his legs getting out of the pocket to throw it or run it. Those are always hard guys to defend. I feel like every other week is a guy like that, but that's kind of where the NFL is going, that's cool, but it's a challenge."
Maye has caught the eyes of players like Budda Baker with the rookie averaging the most yards per carry by any quarterback in a season (9.1) since 2000.
"It's crazy because when you think of Michael Vick, you think of explosive 20, 30, 40 yard runs, and he's doing that on film," the safety said. "It's definitely something we'll have to understand."
An area the Cardinals will look to attack this weekend is the Patriots offensive line. Over the last three games, Maye has been sacked 11 times. Since their Week 11 bye week, the Cardinals have 10 sacks of their own.
However, the Cardinals weren't able to generate much pressure last weekend when they played the Seahawks. Understanding what was at stake with a win, Collier said they've let recent games slip away, with a play here or there impacting the result.
With four games left on the schedule, Collier said the Cardinals are motivated to get back on track, starting on Sunday when they face the 3-10 Patriots.
"We definitely want to get it fixed up," Collier said. "We still have a chance at the playoffs. I know people say it's unrealistic to win out, but I believe we can do it. We have the team in here to do it. We've won four straight (already), why can't we go on another four-win run?"
