Melton played all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 51 tackles (36 solo), five pass defenses and one forced fumble. Melton was one of seven rookies selected by the Cardinals during the 2024 NFL Draft, and the second-round cornerback out of Rutgers was arguably the most consistent. He finished third among Arizona's corners in combined tackles behind Garrett Williams (58) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (52). In addition to seeing heavy snaps with the Cardinals' first-team defense, Melton showed his value and versatility by serving as a gunner on special teams. Melton and fellow rookie corner Elijah Jones (ankle) will have an opportunity to earn a larger role in the Cardinals' defense in the offseason during OTAs, minicamp and training camp.

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Status
ACTIVEPrevious game (vs. SF 1/5)
Latest Max Melton news
2024 Season Tackles
2024 Season Sacks
2024 Season Interceptions
2024 Season Fumbles

Max Melton Career Stats
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Career Stats - TACKLES
TOTALASTSOLO451431Career Stats - Sacks
SCKSCKYDSTFL000Career Stats - INTERCEPTIONS
INTPDTD050Career Stats - Fumbles
FFFRFTD100Tackles
Season Team TOTAL AST SOLO 2024 ARI 45 14 31 Career 451431Sacks
Season Team SCK SCKYDS TFL 2024 ARI 0 0 0 Career 000Interceptions
Season Team INT PD TD 2024 ARI 0 5 0 Career 050Defense Fumbles
Season Team FF FR FTD 2024 ARI 1 0 0 Career 100

Max Melton Season Stats 2024
Previous Game (vs. SF 1/5)
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TACKLES
TOTALASTSOLO451431Sacks
SCKSCKYDSTFL000INTERCEPTIONS
INTPDTD050Fumbles
FFFRFTD100

Max Melton Game Log 2024
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Regular SeasondefensiveDateOppResultSOLOASTTOTALSACKSACKYDSINTDEFTFL1/5W 47-242130000012/28L 9-130220001012/22L 30-361120000012/15W 30-171120000112/8L 18-301010001012/1L 22-231010000011/24L 6-162020000011/10W 31-61230001011/3W 29-91120001010/27W 28-274480000110/21W 17-158190001010/13L 13-343030000010/6W 24-23112000009/29L 14-42303000009/22L 13-20101000009/15W 41-10101000009/8L 28-3400000000
Regular Season Totals 31144500052

Max Melton Player Profile
Career History


Max Melton Latest News
Heavy usage in rookie season

Melton played all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 51 tackles (36 solo), five pass defenses and one forced fumble. Melton was one of seven rookies selected by the Cardinals during the 2024 NFL Draft, and the second-round cornerback out of Rutgers was arguably the most consistent. He finished third among Arizona's corners in combined tackles behind Garrett Williams (58) and Sean Murphy-Bunting (52). In addition to seeing heavy snaps with the Cardinals' first-team defense, Melton showed his value and versatility by serving as a gunner on special teams. Melton and fellow rookie corner Elijah Jones (ankle) will have an opportunity to earn a larger role in the Cardinals' defense in the offseason during OTAs, minicamp and training camp.
Hurts wrist early in Week 18

Melton (wrist) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against San Francisco. Melton was hurt midway through the first quarter while assisting on a tackle. He was deemed questionable to return a few minutes later. Starling Thomas could see an increased amount of defensive snaps if Melton is unable to return.
Past shin issue

Melton (shin) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Panthers, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports. Melton appeared to be in jeopardy of missing the Cardinals' Week 16 contest after opening the week of practice with consecutive limited sessions due to a shin injury. The rookie corner from Rutgers then practiced in full Friday, indicating that he's already recovered from the injury. With Melton back at full health, he's expected to serve as one of the Cardinals' top rotational outside cornerbacks Sunday.
Limited Wednesday

Melton (shin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports. The 2024 second-round pick logged two total tackles over 16 defensive snaps in Arizona's Week 15 win over New England before exiting the game with a shin injury. Melton's practice participation Thursday and Friday will likely offer the best insight into whether he can play through the issue in Week 16, when the Cardinals face the Panthers.
Questionable to return Sunday

Melton (shin) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Patriots, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports. Melton is dealing with a shin injury and his status for the rest of the game is now up in the air. In the meantime, Kei-Trel Clark stands to operate in a more significant role in Arizona's secondary while Melton is unavailable.
Active for Week 12

Melton (illness) is active for Sunday's game against Seattle, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Melton was in danger of missing Sunday's game due to an illness, but he appears to have recovered enough to be available for Sunday's game. He'll provide depth in the secondary behind starting corners Starling Thomas and Sean Murphy-Bunting.
Now questionable for Week 12

Melton (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Melton has been under the weather all week, and while he was initially listed with no injury designation Friday, it appears he hasn't been able to shake off his illness. Whether Melton will play Sunday won't be officially known until the Cardinals post their inactive list approximately 90 minutes before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.
Ready for Sunday

Melton (illness) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Seahawks, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports. Melton was added to the Cardinals' injury report Thursday after recording a DNP due to an illness. However, the rookie corner from Rutgers practiced in full Friday, suggesting that he's moved past his illness in time for Sunday's divisional matchup. With Melton back at full health, he's expected to serve as one of Arizona's top backup corners in Week 12.
Dealing with illness

Melton (illness) did not participate at the Cardinals' practice Thursday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. Melton popped up on the practice report with an undisclosed illness Thursday, forcing him to sit out. The cornerback will look to return to practice Friday, but if he is ultimately unavailable for Sunday's contest against the Seahawks, Kei'Trel Clark would stand to see an increase in workload at cornerback.