Arizona Cardinals: History of first-overall NFL Draft selections

For the fifth time in franchise history, the Arizona Cardinals have the first pick in the NFL Draft. Here’s a look at their previous four  selections

The Arizona Cardinals have a rich history dating back to 1920. Since then, they have changed their name four times. However, they have only had the top pick in the NFL Draft four times.

In 1920, they were members of the American Professional Football Association. Two years later, the league was renamed the National Football League (NFL). In 1925, the Cardinals won the NFL championship. The NFL Draft began in 1936. The Redbirds had the worst record in the NFL by 1939.

As their first overall draft pick, they selected Ki Aldrich, a center from Texas Christian University. Aldrich played seven NFL seasons. In those days, Aldrich played on both sides of the ball. He was a linebacker and intercepted a pass in 1940. He played two seasons for the Cardinals.

In 1940, the Cardinals were still cellar-dwellers. Once again, they had the first overall pick in the draft. They selected George Cafego of Tennessee. Cafego never played for the Redbirds. He played with Brooklyn before doing his military service from 1941 until 1943. He returned to Tennessee as a coach and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

Five years later, the Redbirds struck gold with their third overall pick in the draft. Charley Trippi was taken first overall in the 1945 draft. Trippi is one of the greatest players to ever wear the Cardinals uniform.

He played collegiately at the University of Georgia. He is fifth on the franchise rushing yards list. He rushed for 3,506 yards with 23 touchdowns. He caught 130 passes for 1,321 yards with 11 touchdowns. Trippi played on the Cardinals NFL Championship team of 1947. He had 128 total yards with two touchdowns. Trippi was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.

The fourth player selected first overall was a quarterback. In the 1958 NFL Draft, the Cardinals picked King Hill of Rice University. Hill played four seasons for the Cardinals. He completed 104 passes for 1,245 yards with eight touchdowns. He played his first three seasons as a Cardinal and finished his career in 1969 as the St. Louis Cardinals punter.

Now, will Arizona keep their fifth first-overall pick or trade it? You can probably guess that they are weighing all their options.