The Arizona Cardinals Dream Team

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Cardinals actually had the rare two 1st round draft picks (17th and 18th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft. Because the Cards had a huge need for wide receivers, they chose Bryant Johnson (WR). Johnson was a decent receiver for spot duty, but never developed into a NFL star. The Cardinals also drafted Calvin Pace (DE) with the next draft pick. Pace was a solid pick, but a 1st round pick should be a Pro Bowler, which Pace is not. The Cards would have been better off selecting Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Ken Hamlin (S), Rashean Mathis (CB) or Dallas Clark (TE).

The Cardinals hit a grand slam with their 2nd round pick, Anquan Boldin (WR). Boldin is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Ironic a bit that Boldin, not Bryant Johnson, becomes the stud multi-time Pro Bowl receiver. The Boldin selection was an excellent use of a draft pick.

Too bad they could do the same for their 3rd round pick, Gerald Hayes (LB). He had a couple of good years, but you expect more production out of a 3rd rounder. Arizona could have drafted Terrence McGee (CB), Asante Samuel (CB) or Justin Fargas (RB).

In round 5, the Cardinals selected Kenny King (DE) and it should have been avoided. King was a horrible pick as he only played in 11 games during his 4-year stay at Arizona (he battled a lot of injuries). The Cards should have drafted Cato June (LB), Dan Koppen (C) or David Diehl (OT).

Reggie Wells (OG) was taken in the 6th round. Wells has been a starter for most of his career with Arizona so this is a good pick for the franchise. The Cardinals had a second 6th round pick, which was used on Tony Gilbert (LB) and he never played a game for Arizona. The Cards would have been better off drafting their future franchise signal caller, Tony Romo (QB). Romo, Kris Dielman (OG) and Antonio Gates (TE) were all undrafted free agents that any NFL team could have signed.


Summary Of Players The Arizona Cardinals Should Have Acquired In 2003

Nnamdi Asomugha
Dallas Clark
Terrence McGee
Cato June
Tony Romo
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates

With the 3rd overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Cardinals selected Larry Fitzgerald (WR) and like Boldin, this draft pick could not have been any better. Fitzgerald was drafted because Bryant Johnson, as mentioned before, was not an effective receiver.

The Arizona Cardinals picked Karlos Dansby (LB) in round 2. Dansby is an extremely strong pick here and the Cards could have considered Bob Sanders (SS) at this draft location, but Dansby has been productive for Arizona. In the 3rd round, the Cardinals made another terrific draft selection with Darnell Dockett (DT). Dockett is a threat on the defensive line.

The Cardinals picked Alex Stepanovich (C) in round 4, however this pick was not so good. Stepanovich started his career with Arizona well by starting in a lot of his games, but then injuries took their toll. A better draft pick here would have been Jared Allen (DE), Nathan Vasher (CB) or Jerricho Cotchery (WR).

In the 5th round, the Cards drafted Antonio Smith (DE) and was not particularly a worthy pick. Smith is not a big-time play maker, but Michael Turner (RB) could have helped on offense for the Cardinals. Arizona selected Nick Leckey (C) in round 6 and only played three years with the Cards. The team should have drafted Derrick Ward (RB).

The Arizona Cardinals had a really strong draft in 2004.


Summary Of Players The Arizona Cardinals Should Have Acquired In 2004

Jared Allen
Michael Turner
Derrick Ward

1. Kurt Warner
2. Anquan Boldin
3. Larry Fitzgerald
4. Tim Hightower
5. Steve Breaston

The Arizona Cardinals had the 8th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, which was used on Antrel Rolle (CB). An injury issue and lack of play-making ability almost threatened Rolle's career with Arizona. He has been a solid player at times, but not yet a Pro Bowler. Guys the Cards should have drafted instead were Shawne Merriman (LB), DeMarcus Ware (LB), Aaron Rodgers (QB), Logan Mankins (OG) or Jammal Brown (OT).

In the 2nd round, the Cardinals drafted J.J. Arrington (RB). He never materialized as a franchise running back, so a better pick here would have been Frank Gore (RB), Justin Tuck (DE) or Lofa Tatupu (LB).

The Arizona Cardinals picked Eric Green (CB) in round 3 and is not considered an elite player. The Cards had a second pick in the 3rd round, which the team chose Darryl Blackstock (LB) who was only with the team for three years. Players the Cards should have targeted that were still available were Marion Barber III (RB), Kyle Orton (QB) and Brandon Jacobs (RB).

In round 4, the Cardinals wasted another draft pick on Elton Brown (OG). Brown doesn't start a lot of games and a player like Trent Cole (DE) was still on the draft board (a full-time starter and Pro Bowler).

Lance Mitchell (LB) was chosen in round 5 and should have never been picked (he only played one year with the Cardinals and had really little production to show during that time). The Cardinals should have taken Atari Bigby (S) who was an undrafted free agent. Joshua Cribbs (KR), Ryan Grant (RB) and Nate Washington (WR) were also undrafted future NFL stars and could have signed with any team that would take the players.


Summary Of Players The Arizona Cardinals Should Have Acquired In 2005

Shawne Merriman
Frank Gore
Marion Barber III
Kyle Orton
Trent Cole
Atari Bigby
Joshua Cribbs
Ryan Grant
Nate Washington

In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected Matt Leinart with the 10th overall pick. Leinart could be the franchise quarterback of the future but he was benched in favor of Kurt Warner for the 2008 NFL season. Jay Cutler, however, has been the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos since Week 12 of his rookie year. At the moment, it looks like Cutler is the best quarterback in the draft class of 2006 (Cutler, Leinart and Vince Young). However, since the Cardinals should have drafted or signed Tony Romo, the team could have selected Antonio Cromartie (CB) or DeMeco Ryans (LB) at this draft location.

In round 2, the Cards drafted Taitusi Lutui (OG) and has been a starter for most of his career with Arizona. However, prime time players Marcus McNeill (OT), Maurice Jones-Drew (RB), Tony Scheffler (TE), Greg Jennings (WR) and Devin Hester (KR) were still on the draft board.

Leonard Pope (TE) was taken in the 3rd round, but he has not become one of the elite tight ends in football. The Cards should have used this draft pick on Owen Daniels (TE). The Cardinals selected Gabriel Watson (DT) in the 4th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Watson hasn't been productive and as a result, has not made a name for himself. Arizona should have drafted Brandon Marshall (WR).

The Cards picked Brandon Johnson (LB) in round 5, but was a waste of a draft selection as he only played two years with the Cardinals. A better option here would have been Omar Gaither (LB). In the 6th round, Arizona drafted Jonathan Lewis (DT) and had only 4 tackles in the only 4 games he played with Arizona. Instead of this terrible draft pick, the Cardinals could have chosen (starter and Pro Bowler) Antoine Bethea (S).

Finally, the Cards made another horrible selection with Todd Watkins (WR) as he played in zero games for Arizona. This pick is especially bad when you consider the Cardinals could have drafted another stud receiver in Marques Colston (WR) who was still available.


Summary Of Players The Arizona Cardinals Should Have Acquired In 2006

Jay Cutler
Marcus McNeill
Owen Daniels
Brandon Marshall
Omar Gaither
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

The Arizona Cardinals have two big pieces of the offensive puzzle with their two stud receivers in Boldin and Fitzgerald, but the Cards made some mistakes at some other key positions on the field during recent NFL drafts.

Every team will draft some players that don't play at an elite level. But a few changes to some draft picks and the Cardinals could have avoided a number of regular season losses by placing better players on the football field. The team below could have been playing for the Cardinals today and obviously, it is a "dream team" if all the picks were correctly made. The "dream team" is based on draft pick locations and team needs.

Tony Romo (QB)
Kyle Orton (QB)

Marion Barber III (RB)
Ryan Grant (RB)
Michael Turner (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)

Anquan Boldin (WR)
Larry Fitzgerald (WR)
Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)
Nate Washington (WR)

Dallas Clark (TE)
Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Kris Dielman (OG)
Reggie Wells (OG)
Marcus McNeill (OT)

Darnell Dockett (DT)
Jared Allen (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)

Shawne Merriman (LB)
Lofa Tatupu (LB)
Cato June (LB)
Omar Gaither (LB)
Karlos Dansby (LB)

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Antonio Cromartie (CB)
Terrence McGee (CB)
Atari Bigby (S)
Antoine Bethea (S)

Joshua Cribbs (KR)