ARIZONA CARDINALS

PFF: Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald makes 2018 NFL All-Veteran Team

Sep 8, 2018, 7:55 AM

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2018, file photo, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talk...

FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2018, file photo, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talks with running back David Johnson (31) during an NFL football practice, in Glendale, Ariz. The Washington Redskins will be trying to give coach Jay Gruden his first victory in a season opener in five tries when they face the Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday. Sept. 9, 2018. The team Gruden will face is something of a mystery, with a rebuilt offense and redesigned defense under new coach Steve Wilks.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Age is only a number, not a restriction for Arizona Cardinals timeless receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Heading into his 15th season at 35 years old, Fitz was named the No. 1 wide receiver over 30 years of age, according to Pro Football Focus.

Fitzgerald led all qualifiers last season in receptions (109), yards (1,156), explosive plays (33) and contested catches (18). With how nuanced he is as a route runner and strong he is at the catch point, the 35-year-old could produce well into his late 30s. The Cardinals third overall selection way back in 2004 is still going strong.

In year 14, Fitzgerald posted the third-highest catch percentage of his career at 67.7 percent. He was forced to adjust to a new quarterback when starter Carson Palmer suffered a broken arm midway through the season. With turmoil around him, Fitzgerald adapted and led all slot receivers with 779 yards last year.

Even if Fitzgerald loses some athleticism as time goes on, he more than makes up for it with his ability to create separation from defenders and catch whatever’s thrown his way.

Fitzgerald’s most productive game of the 2017 season came in a Week 3 loss against the Dallas Cowboys. The 6-foot-3 wideout caught 13-of-15 targets for 149 yards and a touchdown, effectively moving him to eighth in the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list. Fitzgerald’s stellar performance throughout the season skyrocketed him to third all-time by the end of the year. He now sits just 389 yards behind Terrell Owens for second place.

Also mentioned by the list is former Cardinal Calais Campbell, who spent nine seasons in Arizona. The three-time Pro Bowler is coming off of the best season of his career in Jacksonville where he finished with a career-high 14.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

He was a little more of an edge defender than interior defender this past season, but we’ll put him inside because that’s where he’s spent a majority of his career. Campbell helped turnaround the Jags defense this past season with a 91.1 overall grade. He’s graded out over 80.0 each of the last four seasons after never having done so his first six years in the league.

Arizona let Campbell walk after signing defensive end Chandler Jones to a five-year extension in the 2017 offseason. While letting go of Campbell was a difficult decision for the Cardinals’ front office, Jones has lived up to his potential in Glendale. Jones finished last season with a league-leading 17 total sack and also had two forced fumbles.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Trey Lance...

Arizona Sports

What is the going rate for top 5 picks? Looking at NFL Draft trades with Cardinals facing choices

The Cardinals are in the opportunistic position of owning the No. 4 pick when more teams need a quarterback entering the NFL Draft.

5 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort chats with Michael Bidwill pregame...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals Corner: Best- and worst-case scenarios for Cardinals’ NFL Draft

Cardinals Corner co-hosts Tyler Drake and Lauren Koval break down the best- and worst-case scenarios for Arizona this NFL Draft.

7 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

John Gambadoro

The Gambo 5: Predicting whom the Arizona Cardinals pick 1st in 2024

Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and two others are on Gambo's list of predicted Arizona Cardinals picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

13 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Combine...

Tyler Drake

NFL mock draft tracker: What will the Cardinals do with the No. 4 pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

14 hours ago

Steve Keim looks on...

Tyler Drake

Ex-Cardinals general manager Steve Keim ‘much happier now’ after rehab stint

Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim opened up about his mysterious leave of absence and parting of ways from the team on Tuesday.

1 day ago

Presented By...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is the best move the Cardinals can make in the 1st round of the NFL Draft?

On this episode of Cardinals Corner, Arizona Sports Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake and do-it-all contributor Lauren Koval dive into their best- and worst-case scenarios for the Cardinals in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

1 day ago

PFF: Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald makes 2018 NFL All-Veteran Team