Max Melton

Max Melton
No. 16 – Arizona Cardinals
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2002-04-15) April 15, 2002 (age 22)
Mays Landing, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:193 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Cedar Creek
(Egg Harbor City, New Jersey)
College:Rutgers (2020–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 2 / pick: 43
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 15, 2024
Total tackles:43
Forced fumbles:1
Pass deflections:4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Malachi "Max" Melton (born April 15, 2002) is an American professional football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and was selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Early life

Melton grew up in the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey and attended Cedar Creek High School. Melton initially committed to play college football at Purdue over offers from Rutgers and Temple.[1] He flipped his commitment to Rutgers during his senior year.[2]

College career

Melton played in nine games with six starts during his freshman season with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and made 21 tackles.[3] He started ten games at cornerback as a sophomore and had 28 tackles with three interceptions and six passes broken up.[4] Melton missed three games due to a suspension.[5] He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference after recording 33 tackles with two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and ten passes broken up.[6]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m) 		187 lb
(85 kg) 		32+1⁄8 in
(0.82 m) 		9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.39 s 1.51 s 2.56 s 4.29 s 6.95 s 40.5 in
(1.03 m)		 11 ft 4 in
(3.45 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8]

Melton was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round with the 43rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.[9]

Personal life

Melton's father, Gary, played football at Rutgers and his mother, Vicky, played on the women's basketball team.[10] His older brother, Bo Melton, played wide receiver at Rutgers and currently plays in the NFL for the Green Bay Packers.[3] Another brother, Gary Jr., played football at Delaware State.[11]

References

  1. ^ Anastasia, Phil (July 17, 2019). "Recruiting: Cedar Creek football star Malachi Melton commits to Purdue". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  2. ^ Hunt, Todderick (December 11, 2019). "Rutgers flips legacy Malachi Melton from Purdue for Greg Schiano's 4th pledge since return". NJ.com. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "How Rutgers football Max Melton learns from brother Bo Melton". Asbury Park Press. September 16, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  4. ^ Dyer, Kristian (February 10, 2022). "Rutgers defensive back Max Melton ranked as a potential defensive breakout star". Rutgers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  5. ^ "Rutgers suspends CBs Max Melton, Chris Long after paintball gun incident". The Athletic. September 21, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  6. ^ "Rutgers football team has top prospects for 2024 NFL Draft". Asbury Park Press. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  7. ^ "Max Melton Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Max Melton College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  9. ^ Urban, Darren (April 26, 2024). "Cardinals Take Max Melton With Second-Round Pick". azcardinals.com. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  10. ^ Sargeant, Keith (September 8, 2021). "Their blood runs Scarlet: How the bond between Bo and Max Melton (and their parents) fuels Rutgers". NJ.com. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  11. ^ Mulranen, Patrick (May 7, 2021). "Rutgers, Melton brothers well-represented on Black Horse Pike". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved May 7, 2023.