Cardinals' Max Melton on comparisons to CBs drafted before him: 'Opinions are like Gucci belts -- everybody has one'

Cardinals rookie cornerback Max Melton is not short on confidence -- or, apparently, belts.

Selected at the tail end of a four-pick run on his position during Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, Melton realizes he'll be compared to those who came just before him, but he is as unconcerned about those takes as he is confident Arizona fans will consider themselves lucky once they see him in action.

"Everybody's gonna have an opinion," Melton said during his Thursday news conference. "Opinions are like Gucci belts -- everybody has one. Everybody is going to have an opinion. Nobody is ever going to be 100 percent on the same page, especially when you're talking about millions of fans. I know come the season, once we get a couple weeks in, I think they'll be happy with their pick."

Melton, a four-year player from Rutgers with a 4.39 40-yard dash, went to the Cardinals at No. 43 overall as the seventh corner selected in April's draft.

The Eagles' Cooper DeJean, Saints' Kool-Aid McKinstry and Texans' Kamari Lassiter came off the board right before him in order from Nos. 40-42.

Given the proximity, they're bound to be grouped together in an endless what-if game -- especially by Arizona supporters who wished they landed one of those three instead. Melton is aware, and he believes they'll eventually be happy they didn't.

The 22-year-old comes equipped with exactly the experience and swagger the Cards' 31st-ranked scoring defense could use to get back on track.

"Very ready, very ready," Melton said when asked how prepared he feels for the NFL. "I played in the Big Ten for four years. My head coach was Greg Schiano, a big DB guy. He coached guys like Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker, Denzel Ward, so I've got elite coaching. Best conference in