CBS Sports: Andre Wadsworth worst Arizona Cardinals’ first round draft pick in last 25 years
Apr 6, 2015, 7:50 PM | Updated: 9:01 pm
The Arizona Cardinals could have drafted Charles Woodson or Randy Moss in 1998. Instead, they picked defensive end Andre Wadsworth. At the time, it seemed like a no-brainer, with the defensive end being one of the best players in the draft. Things didn’t work out, though, and CBS Sports said Wadsworth is the biggest first-round draft mistake by the Cardinals in the last 25 years.
Levi Brown should probably be in the discussion here with the Cardinals taking him two picks before Adrian Peterson. But Andre Wadsworth is the play, going 3rd in 1998, one pick ahead of Charles Woodson. The only reason we’re not talking about it more is because of Leaf/Manning.
CBS Sports, who also picked the biggest mistake for every other team, gave an honorable mention to Tom Knight in addition to Brown. Knight was drafted by the Cardinals ahead of Tony Gonzalez and recorded three interceptions in his six years with Arizona.
Wadsworth’s time with the Cardinals didn’t start off exactly ideal. Instead of getting offseason work in with his new team, he held out until the eve of the season opener.
Wadsworth’s three seasons with the Cardinals were marred with knee injuries. He started 15 games his rookie year and racked up 42 tackles with five sacks and three fumble recoveries. In 20 games the next two seasons, Wadsworth recorded 30 tackles and three sacks.
Hindsight is, of course, 20-20. But the Cardinals missed out on some future Hall of Famers.
Woodson is still in the league and has made it to eight Pro Bowls. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and had a Defensive Player of the Year campaign in 2009. Moss was the Offensive Rookie of the Year and made it to six Pro Bowls.
