Cardinals pick CB Max Melton in 2nd round of 2024 NFL draft. What to know

The Arizona Cardinals selected Rutgers CB Max Melton with the 43rd pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Melton spent four seasons with the Scarlet Knights and now follows his brother Bo, a wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers and a 2022 seventh-round draft pick, into the NFL. Here’s everything you need to know about Melton.

Max Melton scouting report

Melton, who started 40 of the 43 games he played in with Rutgers, boasts solid size and athleticism with explosiveness and speed. He has position flexibility and can play on the outside or inside. Melton has the potential to play safety in the NFL. He showed steady progress each season at Rutgers, though got off to a slower start in 2023 because of a broken hand that hindered Max Melton the early part of that season. Melton was also an impactful player on special teams, a role he can also find himself in at the next level.

Max Melton height, weight

Milton is listed at 5-foot-11 and weighs in at 187 lbs. He's a Mays Landing, New Jersey native and attended Cedar Creek (N.J.) High School.

Max Melton college stats

Across 41 career games, Melton tallied 114 tackles (nine for loss), eight interceptions, 22 pass breakups, four blocked punts, four fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Max Melton highlights

Melton made numerous big plays during his time in a Rutgers uniform, but perhaps no game reflected his potential on both defense and special teams than the Scarlet Knights’ win over Syracuse on Sept. 11, 2021, Melton’s first season as a full-time starter. He finished the game with an interception, fumble recovery, a pass breakup, a blocked punt and two tackles. Melton would go on to have other games like this, but his all-around impact that day showcased his talent early on. In Rutgers’ win over Indiana in 2021, Melton made an impressive one-handed interception at the Scarlet Knights’ 2-yard line to keep Indiana out of the end zone.

Max Melton NFL combine measurables

Melton had a strong showing at the Combine, registering a 4.39 40-yard dash, a 40½-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot, 4-inch broad jump. At Rutgers’ Pro Day Melton finished with 16 reps on the bench press. Still, it was Melton’s 40-yard dash time at the Combine that drew him the most attention and helped improve his draft stock.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona Cardinals pick CB Max Melton in 2024 NFL draft. What to know