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NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history

By Hans Themistode

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 22: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches a pass prior to the NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft: Greatest pick from each franchise’s history: Arizona Cardinals, WR Larry Fitzgerald

Pick: 2004 NFL Draft, 1st round number 3 overall

Stats:

  • 17,492 passing yards
  • 1,432 receptions
  • 121 touchdowns

Awards:

  • 11 Pro Bowls
  • 1 All-Pro selection

For some NFL franchises, choosing the best draft pick in their history is a difficult question to answer. In the case of the Arizona Cardinals, however, this one is as easy as can be. That’s not to say they haven’t had several notable names walk through their draft doors, because they have. Players such as Adrian Wilson and Anquan Boldin deserve our respect but none can compare to Larry Fitzgerald.

With the number three overall pick in the 2004 draft, the Cardinals were expecting a lot of him. Yet, it’s safe to say he exceeded all expectations.

Fitzgerald eased into things in year one, catching 58 balls for 780 yards but once they realized how good he was, they gave him the rock early and often. In nine of his next 13 seasons, Fitzgerald racked up at least a thousand yards. He was consistently mentioned as one of the best receivers in the league and was selected to 11 Pro Bowls for his efforts.

Unlike most superstar wide receivers, Fitzgerald has aged gracefully. He isn’t the player he once was at the age of 37, but he’s had no issue taking a backseat to DeAndre Hopkins. Fitzgerald’s career is clearly coming to an end, but once he hangs up his cleats, the next stop for him will be the football Hall of Fame.

Currently, he ranks second in league history with 17,492 receiving yards, second in receptions with 1,432 and sixth in touchdowns with 121. Fitzgerald is an all-time great and by far the best draft pick in Arizona Cardinals history.

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