ARIZONA CARDINALS

The best and worst from Cardinals drafts

Apr 28, 2011, 3:30 PM | Updated: 5:37 pm

Every NFL team has its share of hits and misses when it comes to the NFL Draft, and the Arizona Cardinals are no exception. We put together a list of some of the best and worst picks in the team’s history while in the Valley for your reading pleasure…or disdain.

The Best

Larry Fitzgerald: Drafted 2004, Round 1, Pick 3

Fitzgerald embodies the idea of hitting a home run in the draft after he was taken by the Cardinals third overall in 2004. In his sophomore year in the NFL, Fitzgerald led all receivers in receptions with 103 for 1,409 yards and 10 touchdowns. Since then he has been to five Pro Bowls, produced double-digit touchdowns four of his seven years in the NFL and caught at least 90 passes in five of his seven years in the NFL.

Aeneas Williams: Drafted 1991, Round 3, Pick 59

Williams was an absolute steal in the third round for the Cardinals in 1991 and became a shutdown corner, starting every game over almost an entire decade with Arizona before moving to the Rams in 2001. He led the Cardinals to their first playoff win since 1947 by intercepting Troy Aikman twice in a 20-7 win over the Cowboys in 1998. He made eight Pro Bowl appearances and finished his career with a staggering 55 interceptions, 692 tackles and 13 total touchdowns on kick, interception and fumble returns.

Anquan Boldin: Drafted 2003, Round 2, Pick 54

Boldin was half of one of the best WR duos in the league along with Larry Fitzgerald for six seasons. Phenomenal out of the gate as a Cardinal, Boldin set a record for the most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game with 217 against Detroit on the way to earning the 2003 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award with 101 receptions for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns.

Arizona Cardinals

Elijah Jones at the NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals select Boston College CB Elijah Jones with 90th pick in 2024 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals took Boston College cornerback Elijah Jones with the No. 90 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

27 minutes ago

Tip Reiman celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals trade No. 79 pick, take Illinois TE Tip Reiman at No. 82

The Arizona Cardinals traded the 79th pick to the Colts in exchange for Nos. 82, which was used on TE Tip Reiman, and 191.

1 hour ago

Isaiah Adams talks to the media during the NFL Draft Combine...

Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals take Illinois T/G Isaiah Adams with 71st pick in 2024 NFL Draft

he Arizona Cardinals selected versatile Illinois offensive lineman Isaiah Adams with the 71st pick in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

2 hours ago

Trey Benson runs the rock...

Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals select RB Trey Benson with No. 66 pick in 2024 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals selected Florida State running back Trey Benson with the 66th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday.

2 hours ago

Rutgers cornerback Max Melton celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Arizona Cardinals select Rutgers CB Max Melton with No. 43 pick in 2024 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals took Rutgers cornerback Max Melton with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort talks to reporters...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals trade Nos. 35, 186 to Falcons for Nos. 43, 79 in 2024 NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals have traded Nos. 35 and 186 to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Nos. 43 and 79 in the 2024 NFL Draft.

4 hours ago

The best and worst from Cardinals drafts