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Arizona Cardinals: 5 former draft picks who excelled elsewhere

By Sion Fawkes

26 Nov 1995: Runningback Garrison Hearst of the Arizona Cardinals runs down the field during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals won the game 40-37. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport
26 Nov 1995: Runningback Garrison Hearst of the Arizona Cardinals runs down the field during a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Cardinals won the game 40-37. Mandatory Credit: Al Bello /Allsport /
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Five Arizona Cardinals draft picks who excelled in other cities: Player #2: Garrison Hearst, RB

Garrison Hearst is mainly known for his time with the San Francisco 49ers. But before he became a household name with the Arizona Cardinals’ future division rival, he played in the desert for three seasons, with the Phoenix Cardinals selecting him in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft.

However, his time with the Cardinals was rather forgettable. Here are his numbers: 397 carries, 1,503 yards, 3.8 ypc, and three rushing touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was also a non-factor in the passing game, catching just 41 passes and scoring one receiving touchdown.

And despite posting decent numbers in the 1995 season, in which he rushed for 1,070 yards, it wasn’t enough to keep him around. So he spent one season in Cincinnati, where he posted 847 rushing yards and just one receiving touchdown.

Finally, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers, becoming one of the best running backs in football in 1998, rushing for over 1,500 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Unfortunately for Hearst, he suffered one of the worst ankle injuries in NFL history that kept him out of action until the 2001 season.

While the injury could have been career-threatening, Hearst managed to suit up again in 2001, picking up right where he left off with 1,206 rushing yards. He also scored four rushing touchdowns that season before scoring a career-high of eight in 2002, although his rushing total dipped south of 1,000 yards.

Hearst was selected to play in the 1998 and 2001 Pro Bowls, although he missed the 1998 contest because of his ankle injury. His legendary 2001 season led him to win the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award. Hearst was also a Second Team All-Pro in 1998.

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