ARIZONA CARDINALS

PFF: Larry Fitzgerald still one of the most sure-handed receivers in the NFL

May 29, 2017, 11:30 AM | Updated: 11:37 am

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a diving catch as San Francisco 49ers s...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) makes a diving catch as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

After 13 years in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald has not dropped many balls, just 34 in his career, a mark that has made him one of the most sure-handed receivers in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus’ rankings.

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald has dropped a mere 34 passes on 996 catchable targets in the PFF era (2006-present). That career drop percentage of 3.41 percent is the best among any receiver in the PFF era with at least 150 catchable targets.

An impressive piece of context to Fitzgerald’s low drop percentage is considering the quarterbacks that were throwing to him.

With more than 15 signal-callers throwing to him in 13 years, Fitzgerald has really only had two rock solid quarterbacks in Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer.

Other than those two is a plethora of inconstancy that made Fitzgerald’s job catching balls a bit tougher and makes his mark even more impressive.

In PFF’s rankings of the most sure-handed receivers of a year ago, the 33-year-old Fitzgerald came in No. 2, only behind Antonio Brown.

After reading the opening paragraph discussing Fitzgerald’s insane career drop numbers, it’s no surprise he ends up high on this list. Fitzgerald has also dropped just seven passes over the past two seasons, but his 223 catchable targets were slightly fewer than Brown’s. Still, his drop percentage of 3.1 percent over that span ranked second among receivers with 100 or more catchable targets.

Fitzgerald is the epitome of consistency, hardly dropping passes and continuing to be a play-maker in the backstretch of his career. Last season, Fitzgerald caught an NFL-leading 107 passes for 1,023 yards and the eighth 1,000+ yard season of his career.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Darius Robinson...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals take DL Darius Robinson with No. 27 pick in 1st round of NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals selected Darius Robinson out of Missouri with the No. 27 pick of the NFL Draft during the first round on Thursday.

36 minutes ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. after being selected fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals at the 2024 NFL Dr...

Alex Weiner

Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. at NFL Draft: ‘I’m gonna work as hard as I can to earn trust’

Marvin Harrison Jr. said he could not be more excited to be an Arizona Cardinal after getting pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

1 hour ago

Marvin Harrison Jr....

Kevin Zimmerman

Why is Marvin Harrison Jr. nicknamed Maserati Marv?

FOX play-by-play man Gus Johnson coined the nickname Maserati Marv to then-Ohio State wideout and new Arizona Cardinals Marvin Harrison Jr.

1 hour ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Kyler Murray, fans react to Marvin Harrison Jr. becoming a Cardinal

Marvin Harrison Jr. now teams with Kyler Murray after he was the fourth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Murray approves.

2 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: MASERATI MARV IT IS! Reaction to the Arizona Cardinals drafting Marvin Harrison Jr.

Wolf, Gambo and our hosts out at the BetMGM sportsbook approve of the Marvin Harrison Jr. pick. Arizona Sports' NFL Draft coverage is presented by BetMGM and Bud Light.

3 hours ago

Marvin Harrison Jr. smiles...

Damon Allred

Cardinals fans may have to wait for Marvin Harrison Jr. jerseys going on sale

Now that the Cardinals picked Marvin Harrison Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft, fans might have to wait a little to get jerseys.

3 hours ago

PFF: Larry Fitzgerald still one of the most sure-handed receivers in the NFL