Arizona Cardinals: Reliving two decades of failures at wide receiver
By Sion Fawkes
Since 2004, the Arizona Cardinals have selected just one outstanding player at wide receiver in future Hall of Famer, Larry Fitzgerald.
While the Arizona Cardinals took a few serviceable names, none of them lasted for an extended period between 2005 and 2022, with Rondale Moore looking like the latest failed draft pick at the position. Besides receiving 3x All-Pro and 11x Pro Bowl honors, Fitzgerald logged 1,432 receptions, 17,492 yards, and 121 touchdowns.
Even in his final season, Fitzgerald was more serviceable than about 90% of the names on this list. He logged 54 receptions for 409 yards and a touchdown that season. That said, let’s look at the receivers drafted the year after the Cardinals landed Fitzgerald. And don’t hold your breath on any of the names below; this is a pretty sorry list.
A snapshot at the Arizona Cardinals failures in drafting receivers
2005 – LeRon McCoy
McCoy actually outperformed his draft status in 2005, logging 18 receptions, 191 yards, and a touchdown. That’s about as good as it got for the former Arizona Cardinal, unfortunately.
2006 – Todd Watkins
Also drafted in the seventh round, Watkins logged eight receptions for 90 yards, all with the then-Oakland Raiders. That production didn’t occur until 2009 following stints with the Cardinals and Falcons.
2007 – Steve Breaston
Drafted in the fifth round, Breaston actually outplayed his draft status. Between 2007 and 2010, he hauled in 197 receptions and seven touchdowns. He is the first solid player on this list, but his career only lasted until 2012.
2008 – Early Doucet
Like Breaston, Doucet’s career was a short one, but he spent it all with the Arizona Cardinals. Between 2008 and 2012, he logged 139 receptions, 1,491 yards, and seven touchdowns.