Arizona Cardinals' 1st Round Picks 1988-Present

[Mitch]

Year: Player, Position, College. (Yrs. w/ AZ). Pro Bowls

1988: Ken Harvey, LB, California. (6). 3 with Redskins: 1994,1996,1997.

1989: Eric Hill, LB, LSU. (9). None.

1989: Joe Wolf, G, BC. (9). None.

1990: (1989 Supp. Pick: Timm Rosenbach, QB, WSU) (3). None.

1991: Eric Swann, DT, None. (10). 2: 1995, 1996.

1992: None.

1993: Garrison Hearst, RB, Georgia. (3) 2: Cardinals 1995, 49ers 2001

1994: Jamir Miller, LB, UCLA. (5). 1 with Browns 2001.

1995: None.

1996: Simeon Rice, DE, Illinois. (5). 3: Cardinals 1999, Bucs, 2002, 2003.

1997: Tom Knight, CB, Iowa. (5). None.

1998: Andre Wadsworth, DE, FSU. (2). None.

1999: David Boston, WR, Ohio St. (3). 1: Cardinals 2001.

1999: L.J. Shelton, T, Eastern Michigan. (5). None.

2000: Thomas Jones, RB, Virginia. (2). 2: Bears 2008, 2009.

2001: Leonard Davis, T, Texas. (5). 3: Cowboys 2007, 2008, 2009.

2002: Wendell Bryant, DT, Wisconsin. (2). None.

2003: Bryant Johnson, WR, Penn St. (4). None.

2003: Calvin Pace, DE, Wake Forest. (4). None.

2004. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh. (7). 5: Cardinals 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.

2005: Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami. 2: Cardinals S 2009, Giants S 2010.

2006: Matt Leinart, QB, USC. (4). None.

2007: Levi Brown, T, Penn St. (5). None.

2008: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, TSU. (3) 1: Cardinals 2009.

2009: Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio St. (3). None.

2010: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. (2). None.

2011: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU. (1). None.

Shortest Tenures in Years:

2-Andre Wadsworth, Thomas Jones, Wendell Bryant
3-Timm Rosenbach, Garrison Hearst, David Boston, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Longest Tenures in Years Over 5:

10-Eric Swann
9-Eric Hill, Joe Wolf
7-Larry Fitzgerald
6-Ken Harvey

Went on to Star for Other Teams:

Ken Harvey
Garrison Hearst
Jamir Miller
Simeon Rice
Thomas Jones
Leonard Davis
Calvin Pace
Antrel Rolle

Number of Cardinals' Last 20 1st Round Pick To Sign a 2nd Contract:


Larry Fitzgerald

That's correct---of the last 20 Cardinal 1st rounders ONLY Fitzgerald has signed a second contract with the Cardinals.

Greatest 1st Round Draft Pick in Arizona Cardinals' History:

Larry Fitzgerald

Fact: Cardinals' 1st Round draft Picks over the past 27 years (1988-present) have only earned 12 Pro Bowl berths---and Fitzgerald has almost half of them (5). The other 7: Swann (twice), Hearst, Rice, Boston, Rolle and Rodgers-Cromartie.

Fact: No Cardinal 1st Round Draft Pick in the last 20 years (Other Than Fitzgerald) Made More than 1 Pro Bowl.

 

[CardLogic]

Fact: No Cardinal 1st Round Draft Pick in the last 20 years (Other Than Fitzgerald) Made More than 1 Pro Bowl, as a member of the Cardinals.

FTFY.

 

[CFLredzoned]

That's correct---of the last 20 Cardinal 1st rounders ONLY Fitzgerald has signed a second contract with the Cardinals.

Wow. Mindboggling!

 

[devilalum]

This franchise needs a nuclear enema.

 

[Goldfield]

I am calling CPS on myself for allowing my kids to become cardinal fans.

 

[wa52lz]

Number of Cardinals' Last 20 1st Round Pick To Sign a 2nd Contract:


Larry Fitzgerald

That's correct---of the last 20 Cardinal 1st rounders ONLY Fitzgerald has signed a second contract with the Cardinals.

So these guys signed 9-10yr rookie deals?
10-Eric Swann
9-Eric Hill, Joe Wolf

 

[Mitch]

So these guys signed 9-10yr rookie deals?
10-Eric Swann
9-Eric Hill, Joe Wolf

They were drafted over 20 years ago---

 

[overseascardfan]

Year: Player, Position, College. (Yrs. w/ AZ). Pro Bowls

1988: Ken Harvey, LB, California. (6). 3 with Redskins: 1994,1996,1997.

1989: Eric Hill, LB, LSU. (9). None.

1989: Joe Wolf, G, BC. (9). None.

1990: (1989 Supp. Pick: Timm Rosenbach, QB, WSU) (3). None.

1991: Eric Swann, DT, None. (10). 2: 1995, 1996.

1992: None.

1993: Garrison Hearst, RB, Georgia. (3) 2: Cardinals 1995, 49ers 2001

1994: Jamir Miller, LB, UCLA. (5). 1 with Browns 2001.

1995: None.

1996: Simeon Rice, DE, Illinois. (5). 3: Cardinals 1999, Bucs, 2002, 2003.

1997: Tom Knight, CB, Iowa. (5). None.

1998: Andre Wadsworth, DE, FSU. (2). None.

1999: David Boston, WR, Ohio St. (3). 1: Cardinals 2001.

1999: L.J. Shelton, T, Eastern Michigan. (5). None.

2000: Thomas Jones, RB, Virginia. (2). 2: Bears 2008, 2009.

2001: Leonard Davis, T, Texas. (5). 3: Cowboys 2007, 2008, 2009.

2002: Wendell Bryant, DT, Wisconsin. (2). None.

2003: Bryant Johnson, WR, Penn St. (4). None.

2003: Calvin Pace, DE, Wake Forest. (4). None.

2004. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh. (7). 5: Cardinals 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.

2005: Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami. 2: Cardinals S 2009, Giants S 2010.

2006: Matt Leinart, QB, USC. (4). None.

2007: Levi Brown, T, Penn St. (5). None.

2008: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, TSU. (3) 1: Cardinals 2009.

2009: Beanie Wells, RB, Ohio St. (3). None.

2010: Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee. (2). None.

2011: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU. (1). None.

Shortest Tenures in Years:

2-Andre Wadsworth, Thomas Jones, Wendell Bryant
3-Timm Rosenbach, Garrison Hearst, David Boston, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Longest Tenures in Years Over 5:

10-Eric Swann
9-Eric Hill, Joe Wolf
7-Larry Fitzgerald
6-Ken Harvey

Went on to Star for Other Teams:

Ken Harvey
Garrison Hearst
Jamir Miller
Simeon Rice
Thomas Jones
Leonard Davis
Calvin Pace
Antrel Rolle

Number of Cardinals' Last 20 1st Round Pick To Sign a 2nd Contract:


Larry Fitzgerald

That's correct---of the last 20 Cardinal 1st rounders ONLY Fitzgerald has signed a second contract with the Cardinals.

Greatest 1st Round Draft Pick in Arizona Cardinals' History:

Larry Fitzgerald

Fact: Cardinals' 1st Round draft Picks over the past 27 years (1988-present) have only earned 12 Pro Bowl berths---and Fitzgerald has almost half of them (5). The other 7: Swann (twice), Hearst, Rice, Boston, Rolle and Rodgers-Cromartie.

Fact: No Cardinal 1st Round Draft Pick in the last 20 years (Other Than Fitzgerald) Made More than 1 Pro Bowl.

You missed Earnest Dye in 1993 (18th overall pick), not that it really makes a difference.

 

[Bodha]

And whats been the constant for the past 27 years?

Hasnt been coaching since weve gone through a handful of those. Weve had a long history of inept GMs, but it appears its not on them either.

Ownership. The 1 thing that hasnt changed is the Bidwills and you have to imagine they have a heavier hand in things (that they shouldnt) than most owners do (aside from Al and Jerry).



said it before, how awesome would it be if Jerry Colangelo owned this team? That guy knows how to build an organization. love that dude

 

[wa52lz]

They were drafted over 20 years ago---

Got it!

 

[devilalum]

Also, Johnson and Pace could have been Suggs. He was BEGGING the Cards to take him. The "Braintrust" didn't think he was good enough to take with the higher pick

 

[kerouac9]

I don't know if you're not counting a player's rookie year or what, but Thomas Jones was with the Arizona Cardinals for 3 seasons: 2000, 2001, 2002, David Boston was with Arizona for four years (1999-2002), and Leonard Davis was an Arizona Cardinal for six years (2001 - 2006).

Both Bryant Johnson and Calvin Pace signed five year deals (four-years with a team option for year 5), and both of them played out the entire lengths of their contracts.

 

[NJCardFan]

Fact: No Cardinal 1st Round Draft Pick in the last 20 years (Other Than Fitzgerald) Made More than 1 Pro Bowl.

Eric Swann made the pro bowl twice as a member of the Cardinals. 1995-1996

 

[Duckjake]

They were drafted over 20 years ago---

Also true free agency didn't start until 1993 so both Hill and Wolf may have signed new contracts prior to that because they had no choice.

Of course we all know about the contract given Eric Swann which at the time was the most money ever given to a Cardinal player. Sadly he and his knees never lived up to it.

Hill left in 1998 when the Cards asked him to take a pay cut.

 

[DoTheDew]

Looking through that list, the worst part is that the majority of them were quality players, who perhaps didn't live up to their draft status but still could have contributed to the team.

Knight, Wadsworth, and Boston's careers were ruined by health issues. (bad luck picks)
Wendall Bryant and Bryant Johnson had no place in the league. (Bad Scouting)

Everyone else except possibly Leinart, in that 20 year stretch, was worth having on this team at the very least as depth. It seems that if the player doesn't live up to his expectations, we won't even try to re-sign him. The worst part is, most of us fans, myself included, were all too anxious to let most of these guys walk.

 

[Snakester]

Alot of very good players we let go. As you pointed out, we always seem to let our best players leave. Next year it will be Levi Brown. Instead of putting him at RT where he should have stayed and then moving him into Guard we will release him. The guy will make an outstanding guard for some team. Until we start keeping our best players we will keep losing.

 

[NJCardFan]

This franchise has made a science out of botching first round draft picks. the '84 draft of Clyde Duncan stands out. With Louis Lipps, Ron Solt, John Alt, Don Rogers(of course his career and life was cut short by being stupid), all proven college players and yet we take Duncan. I remember the draft experts calling that pick a head scratcher.

 

[overseascardfan]

Alot of very good players we let go. As you pointed out, we always seem to let our best players leave. Next year it will be Levi Brown. Instead of putting him at RT where he should have stayed and then moving him into Guard we will release him. The guy will make an outstanding guard for some team. Until we start keeping our best players we will keep losing.

I agree with your point that we have let a lot of good players go, but I think that Levi's cap number for next year is pretty high and will be one of the reasons ARZ lets him go.

 

[DoTheDew]

I agree with your point that we have let a lot of good players go, but I think that Levi's cap number for next year is pretty high and will be one of the reasons ARZ lets him go.

We make these "cap clearing" moves, then we never spend the cap space on worthy free agents. Lots of those good players were also cap clearing moves or "guys not worth their price tag" like Rolle and Pace.

 

[CardLogic]

Wendall Bryant ...had no place in the league. (Bad Scouting)

The Cardinals scout staff has had their share of misfires and then some, but Wendell Bryant wasn't one of them.

He had talent and ability. Bryant's problem was that once he recieved the large 1st round contract, he realized that he didn't need to ever work again. Well, that and substance abuse. And neither work ethics nor substance abuse were issues with him in college. He was a 3.9+ gpa student and dominated some college games. Bryant's issues started the day he signed his NFL contract; not really a scouting issue.

 

[DoTheDew]

The Cardinals scout staff has had their share of misfires and then some, but Wendell Bryant wasn't one of them.

He had talent and ability. Bryant's problem was that once he recieved the large 1st round contract, he realized that he didn't need to ever work again. Well, that and substance abuse. And neither work ethics nor substance abuse were issues with him in college. He was a 3.9+ gpa student and dominated some college games. Bryant's issues started the day he signed his NFL contract; not really a scouting issue.

I hold that part of good "scouting" is being able to read a person's character. It's hard to say whether Bryant left any hints about his mentality, but still, that's why they interview these kids long before they make their minds up about drafting them.

 

[Chopper0080]

While I understand your point, I would not quantify either Antrel Rolle or Calvin Pace as a star for either the Jets or the Giants. In fact, I would think that those two would top that teams list as questionable signings in relation to the contract given.

The obvious issue for me is the lack of secondary contracts in general, regardless of what round. First rounders are higher profile players, but not always the best ones. I miss Dansby more than either Rolle, Pace, or DRC. Not locking Dansby up has been Graves biggest mistake to date in my opinion other than passing on Suggs, Peterson, and Rodgers (With both Suggs and Rodgers wanting to play in AZ) for Bryant Johnson/Calvin Pace, Levi Brown, and Antrel Rolle.

 

[PACardsFan]

I was SURPRISED to see that many good players on that list! Sorry, our 1st round selections are NOT the reason we haven't been successful. I'd like to go back & see how many 2nd & 3rd rounders that we screwed the pooch on.

 

[NJCardFan]

I was SURPRISED to see that many good players on that list! Sorry, our 1st round selections are NOT the reason we haven't been successful. I'd like to go back & see how many 2nd & 3rd rounders that we screwed the pooch on.

Well, I can name at least 2 2nd round draft picks that were pretty successful here.

 

[Duckjake]

Well, I can name at least 2 2nd round draft picks that were pretty successful here.

Cody Brown and Levar Fisher?

But look at these: Anquan Boldin, Karlos Dansby, Duece Lutui, Calais Campbell and Daryl Washington.

My all time favorite was Tony Sacca. I mean what kind of idiot would draft a QB named Sacca?