Prisco: Larry Fitzgerald is Arizona Cardinals’ most overrated player
Jun 25, 2015, 12:35 PM | Updated: 12:36 pm
Larry Fitzgerald signed a two-year, $22 million contract in February that will keep him with the Arizona Cardinals, the only team he has played for since they took him third overall in the 2004 NFL Draft.
It also made him the seventh-highest paid player on the team, behind Patrick Peterson, Calais Campbell, Carson Palmer, Mike Iupati, Jared Veldheer and Daryl Washington.
According to CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, Fitz is also the Cardinals’ most overrated player.
The writer picked one player for each team.
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald: I know age is an issue, and he bounced back to play better last season, but he’s much more of a No. 2 receiver now who has slowed down some. Fitzgerald is one of the class acts of the league, but it’s hard to argue with putting him here.
Fitzgerald’s salary is more commesurate with a No. 1 receiver than a number two, though the 31-year-old’s statistics last season — 63 catches, 784 yards, two touchdowns — don’t exactly scream “top option.”
However, Prisco accurately points out Fitzgerald’s value is not entirely attached to his on-field production, as his leadership and and knowledge of the game have proven to be valuable for the Cardinals as they look to ascend from a good team to a great one.
And besides, perhaps a healthy season from both Fitzgerald and quarterback Carson Palmer will allow the eight-time Pro Bowl choice to look more like the game-changer he was not too long ago.
