Great value picks in Arizona Cardinals’ draft history

A look back at some Arizona Cardinals players who were not first round draft picks but went on to have stellar careers

There are many certainties in the NFL. They are things that may not be considered facts per se but definitely have an element of truth to them.

Things like the Arizona Cardinals are true Super Bowl contenders. Like Chip Kelly being able to speak faster than any auctioneer on earth. Like Bill Belichick and his New England Patriots being proven cheaters, Richard Sherman being an obnoxious loud mouth and Jerry Jones having a list of plastic surgeons on his Rolodex.

One thing in the league that is not as certain is the annual college draft. While drafting players even in the 1st round is not an exact science the real skill of a GM is finding star players from the 2nd round on.

The following is a compilation of some of the greatest “bang for their bucks” Cardinals since the organization arrived in the desert in 1988.

CB Aeneas Williams (3rd round, 1991, #59)

One of the all-time greats, a shut-down corner who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. Williams registered 55 interceptions, 795 tackles and a whopping nine touchdowns. He was an eight time Pro Bowler in his 14 seasons, not too bad for a 3rd rounder.

S Adrian Wilson (3rd round, 2001, #64)

Wilson was a five time Pro Bowler, compiling 893 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 27 picks and 14 forced fumbles. He was a ferocious, intimidating hitter who had the size of a linebacker and the speed of a safety. He’s currently a Cardinals’ scout.

WR Anquan Boldin (2nd round, 2003, #54)

Boldin has played 13 years in the NFL and is currently searching for work. He’s a three time Pro Bowler (all as a Cardinal) who has 1,009 receptions, 13,195 yards and 74 TDs. Also a major contributor to the Super Bowl-winning Baltimore Ravens in 2012.

FB Larry Centers (5th round, 1990, #115)

“Self” Centers is one of the greatest pass-catching backs of all time. He had 101 receptions in 1995, 99 in 1996 and 827 for his career. The Texas native made three Pro Bowl appearances in an impressive 14 year career.

DT Darnell Dockett (3rd round, 2004, #64)

Dockett was a boisterous, charismatic leader of the Cardinals’ defense. A three time Pro Bowler, Dockett accumulated 40.5 sacks, 459 tackles, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles over 12 seasons. He’s tied without Reggie White and Kony Ealy for most sacks in a Super Bowl with three.

DE Michael Bankston (4th round, 1992, #100)

While you won’t find any Pro Bowl or Hall of Fame credentials on his resume, Bankston still found his way onto this list. He had a solid, workmanlike career in the NFL lasting nine seasons. 621 career tackles along with 27 sacks is quite a career for a 4th round pick.