Max Melton

NoteCARDS:

• Selected by the Cardinals in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Rutgers. He became the highest draft pick out of Rutgers since 2010 when DB Devin McCourty went 27th overall to the Patriots.
• One of four rookies (WR Marvin Harrison Jr., TE Tip Reiman and S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson) to appear in all 17 games with the Cardinals in 2024.
• His brother, Bo, currently plays WR for the Packers. Their father, Gary, also played football at Rutgers.

NoteCARDS:

• Selected by the Cardinals in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Rutgers. He became the highest draft pick out of Rutgers since 2010 when DB Devin McCourty went 27th overall to the Patriots.
• One of four rookies (WR Marvin Harrison Jr., TE Tip Reiman and S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson) to appear in all 17 games with the Cardinals in 2024.
• His brother, Bo, currently plays WR for the Packers. Their father, Gary, also played football at Rutgers.

Pro Career:

Drafted by the Cardinals in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Rutgers.

2024: Played in all 17 games, with three starts, in his debut season ... totaled 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, five passes defensed and a forced fumble as well as seven special teams tackles ... made his NFL debut @ Buf (9/8) where he had two tackles on special teams ... had one tackle and one special teams tackle vs. LAR (9/15) and vs. Det (9/22) ... posted three solo tackles and a special teams tackle @ GB (10/13) ... had a career-high nine tackles (eight solo) and forced a Chargers WR Ladd McConkey fumble vs. LAC (10/21); the forced fumble was the first of his career ... made his first start on defense in the win @ Mia (10/27), recording eight tackles and a tackle for loss ... recorded three tackles (one solo) and a pass defensed in the win vs. NYJ (11/10) ... had one solo tackle and a pass defensed vs. Sea (12/8); the pass breakup came on third down in the end zone and forced Seattle to attempt a FG ... registered two tackles, a pass defensed and a special teams tackle @ LAR (12/28) ... had three tackles in the win vs. SF (1/5/25).

College:

Played four seasons (2020-23) at Rutgers where he was a two-time All-Big Ten selection … in his college career, played 44 games (40 starts) and finished with 114 tackles, eight INTs (one returned for a TD), 22 passes defensed, nine tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a sack … also blocked four punts and returned three punts for 61 yards ... as a senior in 2023, earned All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive season after starting 12-of-13 games and leading the team with three INTs; also totaled 32 tackles, six passes defensed, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a sack ... started all 12 games in 2022 as a junior and earned All-Big Ten honors, led the nation with three blocked punts and added 33 tackles, two INTs, 10 passes defensed (second most on team), two tackles for loss and one fumble recovery ... started all 10 games as a sophomore and led the team with three INTs, including one returned for a TD; also had 28 tackles, six passes defensed (second most on team), two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery; added a blocked punt and a 14-yard punt return ... appeared in nine games and made six starts as a freshman in 2020 where he finished with 21 tackles (one for loss) and one fumble recovery.

Personal:

Attended Cedar Creek (Egg Harbor City, NJ) High School where he played WR and CB … helped guide the Pirates to a 10-3 record and a Regional Championship appearance as a senior … named second- team All-New Jersey by USA Today Network, All-South Jersey by the Philadelphia Inquirer and First Team All-Star on defense by the Press of Atlantic City in 2019 … caught 60 passes for 785 yards and seven TDs, while rushing for 211 yards and a TD as a senior ... majored in Criminal Justice.