The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The team was founded in 1898 as the Morgan Athletic Club and has a rich history that spans over 120 years. The Cardinals have won two NFL championships, in 1925 and 1947, and have made it to the Super Bowl on three occasions, most recently in 2009.
Throughout the years, the team has featured many talented players who have left their mark on the franchise and the sport. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best players in the history of the Arizona Cardinals.
1. Kyler Murray
Quarterback
Career
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2019)
- 2× Pro Bowl (2020 & 2021)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2019)
- Heisman Trophy (2018)
- Davey O'Brien Award (2018)
- Manning Award (2018)
- AP College Football Player of the Year (2018)
- Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2018)
- First-team All-American (2018)
- First-team All-Big 12 (2018)
Murray was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. Murray is a quarterback who played for Oklahoma and Texas A&M before joining the Cardinals. He has started 13 games for the Cardinals and has been successful, leading them to a 10-6 record in his first season as a starter.
Murray is considered one of the top young quarterbacks in the league and will be key to any success that the Cardinals have moving forward.
Kyler Murray was the MVP of the 2019 NFL Draft and is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the league. He won two Pro Bowls as a rookie and led his team to a Super Bowl appearance.
Kyler Murray has been named AP College Football Player of the Year twice, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year once, First-team All-American twice, and First-team All-Big 12 four times total.
Also Played For: oklahoma sooners football, heisman trophy nfl
2. Larry Fitzgerald Jr.
Wide receiver
Career
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2016)
- First-team All-Pro (2008)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2009, 2011)
- 11× Pro Bowl (2005, 2007–2013, 2015–2017)
- 2× NFL receptions leader (2005, 2016)
- 2× NFL receiving touchdowns leader (2008 & 2009)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- Art Rooney Award (2014)
- Biletnikoff Award (2003)
- Walter Camp Award (2003)
- Big East Offensive Player of the Year (2003)
- Unanimous All-American (2003)
- First-team All-Big East (2003)
- Insight Bowl champion (2002)
- Pittsburgh Panthers No. 1 retired
Larry Fitzgerald is widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. During his 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals, Fitzgerald established himself as one of the league’s most consistent and dominant pass-catchers.
He holds numerous NFL records, including most career receptions by a wide receiver and most receiving touchdowns in a single postseason.
Fitzgerald attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played college football for the Panthers. As a junior in 2003, he was a consensus All-American and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top wide receiver.
The following year, Fitzgerald declared for the NFL Draft and was selected third overall by the Cardinals.
In his rookie season, Fitzgerald quickly made an impact with 58 receptions for 780 yards and 8 touchdowns. He continued to produce at a high level throughout his career, earning 11 Pro Bowl selections and being named a First-Team All-Pro on three occasions.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Fitzgerald is known for his sportsmanship and leadership. He has been recognized with numerous awards for his charitable work and was named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2016.
Overall, Larry Fitzgerald’s career will be remembered as one of the greatest in NFL history. His combination of skill, professionalism, and character set him apart as a true role model for all players.
Also Played For: pittsburgh panthers football, university of pittsburgh football
3. DeAndre Hopkins
Wide receiver
Career
- 3× First-team All-Pro (2017–2019)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2015, 2020)
- 5× Pro Bowl (2015, 2017–2020)
- NFL receiving touchdowns leader (2017)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2013)
- First-team All-ACC (2012)
DeAndre Hopkins is a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2013, but he has played with the Arizona Cardinals since 2020.
DeAndre Hopkins is 6'1" and 212 pounds and he has had success playing in both offense and defense for the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals, respectively. DeAndre Hopkins is known for his explosiveness on the field, as well as his ability to make big plays downfield.
He will be an important part of any team's offense moving forward. DeAndre Hopkins is one of the best receivers in the NFL and has been a top performer for the Texans since joining them in 2013.
He was an All-Pro selection three times, including twice as runner-up for Second Team honors and once as leader of the league's touchdown chart with 71 touchdowns over his career.
Hopkins also enjoyed some success on special teams, being named First Team All-ACC on several occasions while playing both receiver and returner positions throughout his college career at Clemson University.
Also Played For: clemson university, clemson tigers football
4. Budda Baker
Safety
Career
- 2× First-team All-Pro (2017, 2020)
- Second-team All-Pro (2021)
- 5× Pro Bowl (2017, 2019–2022)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2017)
- Consensus All-American (2016)
- 2× First-team All-Pac-12 (2015, 2016)
Budda Baker was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2017. The safety has played for the Cardinals since 2017 and is currently on injured reserve. Budda Baker attended Washington University where he played football and basketball before being drafted into the NFL.
As a safety, Budda Baker primarily tackles players but can also play defense as an outside linebacker or cornerback if needed.
In his rookie season with the Cardinals, Budda Baker recorded five interceptions including one against Aaron Rodgers which helped secure a victory over Green Bay in Week 15 of the regular season.
In 2018, Budda Baker started all 16 games for Arizona and tallied 74 total tackles (43 solos), two sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries while tying for second on the team with six pass deflections.
Budda Baker was a consensus All-American and two-time first-team all-Pac-12 player in 2016 and 2017.
He played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2018 to 2020, where he recorded 650 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 34 pass deflections. In 2019, Budda signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an unrestricted free agent and led the team with 101 tackles despite playing only eight games due to injury.
Budda joined Patrick Peterson, a former teammate from the Arizona Cardinals, on the roster of the New England Patriots in November 2020 after being released by the Rams at the conclusion of the season.
However, after one game, Budda was once again cut due to injury concerns resulting from offseason surgery on his ankle/foot joint area, which required screws to be inserted.
Also Played For: nfc west
5. Rondale Moore
Wide receiver
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2021–present)
- Roster status: Injured reserve
- Career highlights and awards
- Paul Hornung Award (2018)
- Thompson–Randle El Freshman of the Year (2018)
- Richter–Howard Receiver of the Year (2018)
- Consensus All-American (2018)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2018)
Rondale Moore was born on June 9, 2000, in New Albany, Indiana. Moore attended Trinity High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was a standout receiver.
Moore played two seasons for Purdue, where he was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and won the Paul Hornung Award. Moore was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Moore has been injured reserve since the start of the 2022 season, but he is still considered one of the best receivers in the league. Moore is married and has a son. Moore is a devout Christian and enjoys spending time with his family.
Moore is an ambassador for the Cardinals’ “Stick to Football” campaign, which raises money for children’s charities. Moore is currently working on his master’s degree in business management. Moore is a passionate athlete and loves to play basketball, golf, and football.
Also Played For: purdue boilermakers football
6. Markus Golden
Linebacker
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2015–2018)
- New York Giants (2019–2020)
- Arizona Cardinals (2020–present)
Markus Golden was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 13th, 1991. At 6'3" and weighing in at 259 lbs., Markus is an imposing linebacker with NFL potential.
After playing college football for the Missouri Tigers, Markus was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015's second round as the 58th overall pick.
He spent three seasons with the Cardinals before signing with the New York Giants midway through the 2019 season where he has played two games so far this year (both wins).
With a wealth of experience under his belt and plenty of upsides, there is no doubt that Markus will continue to develop at an impressive rate over the next few years - watch out.
Markus Golden is an All-SEC defensive lineman who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He had a stellar career at Florida State, where he won Second-team All-SEC honors and played in two college football playoff games.
After being drafted by the Eagles, Golden signed a four year contract with them worth $15 million dollars. In his rookie season, he recorded 54 tackles and 3 sacks while helping lead Philadelphia to their first Super Bowl victory since 2005.
He made headlines once again in his sophomore season when he recorded 11 sacks and helped lead Philly to another championship appearance against New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Golden has continued his dominant play throughout his three-year NFL career, recording 316 tackles (47 of which were sacks), 11 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 1 interception during that time period.
Also Played For: missouri tigers football
7. Kurt Warner
Quarterback
Career
- Super Bowl champion (XXXIV)
- Super Bowl MVP (XXXIV)
- 2× NFL Most Valuable Player (1999, 2001)
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2008)
- 2× First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001)
- 4× Pro Bowl (1999–2001, 2008)
- 2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (1999, 2001)
- 3× NFL completion percentage leader (1999–2001)
- 2× NFL passer rating leader (1999, 2001)
- NFL passing yards leader (2001)
- Bert Bell Award (1999)
- Bart Starr Award (2010)
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
Kurt Warner is a retired American football quarterback. He played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants in his career. Warner was born on June 22nd, 1971 in Burlington, Iowa.
He attended Regis High School before going on to play college ball at Northern Iowa University where he led the Panthers to two consecutive championship games (1989-1991).
Undrafted by any NFL team during the 1994 season, Kurt signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent and spent four seasons there (1994-1998).
In 1999, he joined forces with Brett Favre and led the fledgling St Louis Rams to their first Super Bowl victory – they went on to win three more in a row (1999-2001).
After leaving St Louis following the 2003 season, Kurt re-joined former teammate Brett Favre in Minnesota where he played one final year for them (2004).
In 2005, Warner was traded to Arizona Cardinals where he enjoyed perhaps his greatest period of success; winning back-to-back MVP awards (2007 & 2008) as well as leading them all the way to Super Bowl XLIII - which they lost against Pittsburgh Steelers.
After another successful year with The Cards in 2009, Kurt announced his retirement from professional football after 11 seasons - finishing with a record of 55–37 (.583) including 43 touchdowns and 19 interceptions across 224 appearances.
Warner was drafted in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams and became their starting quarterback in 1999.
Warner led his team to a Super Bowl appearance following the 2001 season, but they lost to the New England Patriots.
He then signed with Arizona Cardinals where he had two more successful seasons before retiring at age 38 in 2006 due to an injury sustained during that year's playoffs against Green Bay Packers.
Warner has since been inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Arena Football Hall of Fame as well as being voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in NFL history by fans online at NFL Network.
In 2010, Warner won Bert Bell Award given annually "to a player who best exemplifies qualities associated with former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Bert Bell: intelligence, toughness, resiliency, leadership, and character".
Kurt also authored a book called The Quarterback Whisperer which tells his story from childhood through his professional football career including how he developed QB skillsets for players today via video analysis & drills on the wwwQBSeriesCoaching website.
Also Played For: arena football, nfl europe
8. J.J. Watt
Defensive end
Career
- 3× NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014, 2015)
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2017)
- 5× First-team All-Pro (2012–2015, 2018)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2014, 2018)
- 5× Pro Bowl (2012–2015, 2018)
- 2× NFL sacks leader (2012, 2015)
- NFL forced fumbles co-leader (2018)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011)
- Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2017)
- Bert Bell Award (2014)
- Lott Trophy (2010)
- First-team All-American (2010)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2010)
Watt is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2017. He has also been selected to five Pro Bowls and two Second Team All-Pro teams.
Watt holds the record for most sacks in a single season with 29 in 2015. J.J. Watt played college football at Central Michigan before being drafted by the Houston Texans in 2011 J.J.
Watt is one of the most decorated and accomplished players in NFL history, having won numerous awards including a Bert Bell Award, Lott Trophy, First-team All-American, and two Pro Bowls.
The Houston Texans superstar has recorded 580 tackles, 111 sacks, 69 passes deflected, and 27 forced fumbles in his impressive career to date.
In 2018 he became the co-leader in Forced Fumbles with New York Giants linebacker Olivier Vernon while also being named an AP first-team All-Pro for the third time in his career - cementing him as one of the greatest defensive players ever to play the game.
J.J. Watt's work ethic was once again on display this season when he missed just one game due to injury despite playing through back surgery earlier in the year which many thought would end his career prematurely.
His determined attitude and unyielding passion for football have seen him become a role model both on and off the field for young athletes all over America.
Also Played For: wisconsin badgers football, defensive end
9. Chris Banjo
Safety
Career
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2013)
- Green Bay Packers (2013–2016)
- New Orleans Saints (2016–2018)
- Arizona Cardinals (2019–present)
Born in 1990, Chris Banjo is a safety who has played for the Packers and Cardinals over the past three seasons.
After playing high school football at Kempner (Sugar Land, Texas), he attended SMU where he was drafted by Green Bay in 2012.
In his three years with the Packers, Banjo tallied 133 tackles and one interception while also recording two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He signed with the Saints as a free agent before joining Arizona this season.
At 32 years old, Chris Banjo still has some good football left in him and will be looking to add to his totals with new team next year
Also Played For: smu mustangs
10. Andy Isabella
Wide receiver
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2019–2022)
- Baltimore Ravens (2022–present)
Andy Isabella was a consensus All-American in 2018 while playing for the Arizona Cardinals. The 26-year-old wide receiver is originally from Mayfield, Ohio and played college football at UMass.
He joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 and has been a mainstay on their roster ever since. In 2019, he set career highs with 33 receptions, 447 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
Andy's versatility as both a receiver and returner makes him an asset to any team he plays for going forward.
11. Darnell Dockett
Defensive tackle
Career
- Second-team All-Pro (2009)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2007, 2009, 2010)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2004)
- ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2003)
Darnell Dockett is a defensive end who has played for the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks in his career.
He was drafted by the Cardinals in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft and spent four seasons with them before signing with the 49ers as a free agent in 2015.
In 2017, he signed with the Seahawks and helped lead them to their first Super Bowl victory that year. Darnell Dockett was a dominant interior defender in the NFL for many years.
He won three Pro Bowls and was second-team All-Pro in 2009. He has also been a force on defense with sacks, fumble recoveries, and interceptions.
His career ended prematurely due to injuries but he remains one of the premier defensive players in league history.
12. Pat Tillman
Safety
Career
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- Arizona Cardinals No. 40 retired
- Sports Illustrated All-Pro (2000)
- Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year Award (1997)
- Arizona State Sun Devils No. 42 retired
Pat Tillman was a professional football player who served in the United States Army during the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan. Tillman was killed by friendly fire while on patrol in Afghanistan in 2004.
After graduating from high school, Tillman played college football for Arizona State before being drafted into the NFL by the Baltimore Ravens in 1998. He spent four seasons with Baltimore before joining the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent in 2002.
In his career, Tillman recorded over 200 tackles and three interceptions while also playing on two Super Bowl teams (XXXIV, XXXVIII). His death has been cited as an impetus to increase military recruitment efforts among American youth.
Along with other service members including Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy and World War II veteran John Basilone, Pat Tillman is interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year Award was one of many honors Pat Tillman received as an NFL player.
He was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan after leading his unit to victory against Taliban forces. His death has inspired others to join the military and fight for their country, as well as raise awareness about mental health issues among veterans.
Pat Tillman's life story serves as an inspiration to all Americans and demonstrates what is possible when you dedicate yourself to your goals and work hard at anything you set your mind to do
Also Played For: arizona state sun devils football
13. Simeon Rice
Defensive lineman
Career
- Super Bowl champion (XXXVII)
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1996)
- First-team All-Pro (2002)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1999, 2003)
- 3× Pro Bowl (1999, 2002, 2003)
- NFL forced fumbles co-leader (2003)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1996)
- Jack Lambert Trophy (1995)
- 2× First-team All-American (1994, 1995)
- Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year (1994)
- Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year (1992)
Rice was a dominant defensive end in the NFL for nearly a decade. He won two Super Bowls with the Arizona Cardinals and was an All-Pro selection three times.
Rice spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and Indianapolis Colts before retiring in 2007. Rice was a force on the defensive side of the ball for many years, making All-Pro teams in 2002 and 2003.
Rice led the NFL with 25 forced fumbles in 2003, which is still an NFL record. Rice also had five interceptions, 35 pass deflections, and 1 safety during his career.
14. Jesse Luketa
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2022–present)
- High school: Mercyhurst Preparatory
- (Erie, Pennsylvania)
- College: Penn State (2018–2021)
- NFL Draft: 2022 / Round: 7 / Pick: 256
- CFL Draft: 2022 / Round: 2 / Pick: 20
Jesse Luketa was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has played for the team since then and is currently an outside linebacker on their roster.
Luketa has had a successful career in the NFL, accumulating over 100 tackles and 2 sacks during his time with the Cardinals. He also proved himself as a valuable member of Canada's national football team, winning a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in 2019.
Jesse Luketa is set to continue playing for Arizona through at least 2023 season Luketa was a standout linebacker for the Wolverines, earning Third-team All-Big Ten accolades in 2021.
Luketa has experience playing both inside and outside linebacker at the NFL level and is expected to compete for a starting spot with the Lions this season.
Luketa is an explosive player who will be looking to help Detroit secure back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in over a decade.
15. Jake Plummer
Quarterback
Career
- Pro Bowl (2005)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1997)
- Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (1996)
- First-team All-American (1996)
- 2× First-team All-Pac-10 (1995, 1996)
Jake Plummer is a retired NFL quarterback who played for the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft.
Plummer led his teams to three division titles (1998 with Arizona, 2001 with Denver, and 2003 with Tampa Bay) and one Super Bowl appearance (XLVIII). In total, he completed 511 passes for 6,626 yards and 49 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,202 yards on 291 carries.
After retiring from football in 2006, Plummer began working as an analyst on Fox Sports' college football coverage team before leaving that role in 2013 to become an ambassador for helmet manufacturer Riddell.
Jake Plummer was a three-time First-team All-American at the University of Utah and played in two Pro Bowls.
He led the Arizona Cardinals to their first NFC Championship Game appearance in over 20 years in 2000 and then helped them win Super Bowl XXXIII against the Tennessee Titans.
After retiring from football, Jake became an analyst for Fox Sports Net and ESPN radio as well as appearing on various shows such as The Dan Patrick Show, Around The League Live, Pardon My Take, and more.
In 2017, he published his autobiography entitled "Undefeated" which chronicled his career both on and off the field.
Also Played For: 2000 nfl season
16. Pharoh Cooper
Wide receiver
Career
- Los Angeles Rams (2016–2018)
- Arizona Cardinals (2018)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2019)
- Arizona Cardinals (2019)
- Carolina Panthers (2020)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2021)
- New York Giants (2021)
- Arizona Cardinals (2022–present)
Pharoh Cooper was a wide receiver and return specialist for the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. After being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2016, Cooper played two seasons with them before being traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.
In his three years with the Cards, he has recorded over 1,000 yards receiving and four touchdowns on offense. On November 2nd of this year (2020), he made history by becoming the first player ever to return both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in one game.
Pharoh is currently signed with the Carolina Panthers through 2022-present, where he looks to help lead their team back to prominence after winning just six games last season Pharoh Cooper is a 2017 first-team All-Pro and two-time first-team all-SEC player. He has 59 receptions for 539 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.
Pharaoh was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, he had 49 catches for 471 yards and 2 touchdowns, earning him NFC Rookie of the Year honors.
Also Played For: south carolina gamecocks football
17. Dan Dierdorf
Guard
Career
- 5× First-team All-Pro (1975–1978, 1980)
- Second-team All-Pro (1974)
- 6× Pro Bowl (1974–1978, 1980)
- NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- Consensus All-America (1970)
- Second-team All-America (1969)
Dan Dierdorf was one of the most successful offensive tackles in NFL history. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1971 to 1983 and was a five-time first-team All-Pro selection.
Dan Dierdorf was born on June 29, 1949, in Canton, Ohio. He attended Plain Township High School and Michigan where he played football for the Wolverines from 1967 to 1970.
After playing college football at Michigan, Dan Dierdorf was drafted by the St Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 1971 NFL Draft.
Dan Dierdorf is regarded as one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever compete in the NFL, and his dedication to greatness brought him numerous honors throughout his time with STL, including five first-team All-Pro selections and two second-team All-Pro nods.
At the University of Illinois, Dan Dierdorf excelled as a linebacker and went on to play for 14 seasons in the NFL.
He was elected to six Pro Bowls, won two Super Bowl rings with the Cardinals, and was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Hall of Fame.
Dan Dortof is widely considered one of the greatest linebackers ever to play in the NFL, and his impact on both college football and professional football will be remembered for many years to come.
18. James Conner
Running back
Career
- 2× Pro Bowl (2018, 2021)
- AFCA First-team All-American (2014)
- ACC Player of the Year (2014)
- ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2014)
- ACC Brian Piccolo Award (2016)
- 2× First-team All-ACC (2014, 2016)
James Conner is a running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the team in 2017 and has since played for them through 2020. In 2018, he was named to his first Pro Bowl and led the league with 1,239 rushing yards that season.
He also scored 11 touchdowns on the ground. In 2021, he again led the NFL in rushing yards (1,291) while also amassing 12 touchdowns on offense.
This performance helped him earn Second Team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press and First Team All-AFC selections from several media outlets.
James Conner is married to Alecia Thomas. They have two children together - daughter Kailee Marie and son Kameron Johnathan. They both attend a Catholic school in Erie, Pennsylvania where their father grew up playing football as well as basketball.
He also tracks & field before going to college at Pittsburg State University where he lettered twice in football before being drafted into the NFL by Pittsburgh Steelers James Conner is a two-time first-team All-ACC selection and ACC Offensive Player of the Year.
He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. James Conner has rushed for over 3,000 yards and 43 touchdowns in his career thus far with the Steelers.
In Week 15 of the 2022 season, he recorded 97 rushing yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown against Indianapolis Colts to help lead Pittsburgh to victory.
19. Aeneas Williams
Career
- 3× First-team All-Pro (1995, 1997, 2001)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1994, 1996)
- 8× Pro Bowl (1994–1999, 2001, 2003)
- NFL Interceptions co-leader (1994)
- NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
- Bart Starr Award (2000)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1991)
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- St. Louis Rams 10th Anniversary Team
Aeneas Williams was a standout cornerback for the St. Louis Rams from 2001-2004. He earned three first-team All-Pro nods and was a two-time second-team selection.
After playing his entire career with the Rams, Williams signed with the Phoenix Cardinals in 2005 but only played one season before retiring at age 36 due to injury.
Aeneas Williams was a dominant cornerback during the 1990s. He played for the Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, and Dallas Cowboys in his career. Williams is one of only two players to be selected for three Pro Bowls (1994-1999, 2001, 2003).
He was named an All-Decade Team selection by the NFL in the 1990s and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
Also Played For: st louis rams
20. Byron Murphy
Cornerback
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2019–present)
Byron Murphy Jr. was born on January 18, 1998, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He attended Saguaro High School and played for the Cardinals' junior varsity team as a freshman before making the varsity squad his sophomore year.
In 2016, he transferred to Washington where he started all 13 games at cornerback and recorded 44 tackles (41 solos), four interceptions, two sacks, one forced fumble, and 10 pass breakups en route to being named first-team All-Pac 12 by both coaches and media members alike.
Murphy declared for the 2019 NFL Draft but decided to return to Washington for his senior season after hearing his name called by Arizona at pick 33 in the second round of that year's draft.
Murphy was a two-time All-American and First Team All-Pac-12 player in 2018. He is projected as a top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Murphy has racked up 229 tackles, 3 sacks, 34 passes defended, 5 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery in his career at Stanford. Murphy also excels as a returner with 2 touchdowns on punt returns and one touchdown on kickoff returns throughout his college career so far.
21. Jackie Smith
Tight end
Career
- St. Louis Cardinals (1963–1977)
- Dallas Cowboys (1978)
Smith was a tight end for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1963 to 1977. He had a total of 428 receptions and 5,116 yards in his career with the Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys.
Smith is most notable for being part of two Super Bowl-winning teams (with the Cardinals in 1967 and the Cowboys in 1978). He also won three Pro Bowl Awards during his career as well as an MVP Award in 1976 with the Cowboys.
In 2013, he was inducted into the National Football League Hall of Fame Jackie Smith was one of the most accomplished receivers in NFL history. He spent his entire career with the Minnesota Vikings and compiled over 5,000 yards and 40 touchdowns.
Jackie Smith also made five Pro Bowls during his illustrious career. His accolades include Second-team All-Pro honors four times and a berth in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
22. Jordan Hicks
Linebacker
Career
- Philadelphia Eagles (2015–2018)
- Arizona Cardinals (2019–2021)
- Minnesota Vikings (2022–present)
Jordan Hicks was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. In his three seasons with the Eagles, he played 137 total games and made two Pro Bowls.
He signed a four-year deal with Arizona Cardinals in 2019 but tore his ACL during training camp and is out for the season.
Jordan Hicks has been a key part of the Minnesota Viking's defense since signing as a free agent in 2022, recording 162 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery over that span.
At 30 years old, Hicks is still young enough to have many productive years left in the NFL Jordan Hicks is a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He has won two Super Bowls with the team and was named MVP of the game in 2018. His stats are very impressive, as he has led all linebackers in tackles, sacks, and interceptions during his career thus far.
Jordan Hicks is also an excellent pass defender, deflecting 44 passes throughout his career so far - more than any other linebacker in NFL history.
With another outstanding season under his belt, it's safe to say that Jordan Hicks will go down as one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.
23. Andy Lee
Punter
Career
- 3× First-team All-Pro (2007, 2011, 2012)
- Second-team All-Pro (2009)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2007, 2009, 2011)
- 3× NFL punting yards leader (2005, 2007, 2018)
- PFW Golden Toe Award (2011)
- All-American (2003)
Andy Lee is a punter who has played for the 49ers, Browns, Panthers, and Cardinals.
He was born on August 11, 1982, in Westminster, South Carolina, and attended West-Oak High School before playing college football at Pittsburgh.
Lee was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and spent four seasons with them before signing with Cleveland in 2015.
In 2017 he joined Arizona where he continues to play today Andy Lee was an All-American and First-team All-Pro during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.
He is one of only four players to be named a Pro Bowl starter three times, joining Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Ronnie Lott. In 2011 he won the PFW Golden Toe Award as the top punter in the NFL and led the league in punt average that year.
Lee has also been known for his strong leg on kickoffs, where he has successfully put several touchbacks inside the opponent's 20-yard line over his career.
24. Adrian Wilson
Strong safety
Career
- First-team All-Pro (2009)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2006, 2008)
- 5× Pro Bowl (2006, 2008–2011)
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
Adrian Wilson played for the Arizona Cardinals from 2001 to 2012. He then spent time with the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears before returning to the Cardinals in 2019.
Adrian Wilson is responsible for scouting players throughout the NFL, as well as evaluating talent on behalf of his team. He has been with the Cardinals since 2021. Adrian Wilson was born in 1979 and attended high school in North Carolina before playing college football at NC State.
After retiring from playing football, he worked as a scout for several teams over a period of 10 years before rejoining the Cardinals organization in 2019.
Adrian Wilson is a veteran cornerback who started his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals. He has played for six different teams and has been a Pro Bowler four times in his career.
Adrian Wilson is known for being one of the best cover cornerbacks in the league, due to his speed and ability to take down receivers deep.
Adrian Wilson was released by the Cardinals earlier this year after 13 seasons with the team, but he continues to play football at a high level on other teams. Adrian Wilson will be playing in his sixth Pro Bowl this year, as he looks to add another championship ring to his collection.
Also Played For: nc state wolfpack football
25. Anquan Boldin
Wide receiver
Career
- Super Bowl champion (XLVII)
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2003)
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2015)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2003, 2006, 2008)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2003)
- BCS national champion (1999)
- ACC Brian Piccolo Award (2002)
Boldin is a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens and has been in the NFL since 2003. Boldin has played for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills during his career.
He was named to three Pro Bowls (2009–2012) and won two Super Bowl titles with the Ravens in 2012 and 2017.
Boldin holds several receiving records including most catches by an undrafted player in NFL history (454), most yards from scrimmage by a non-kicker (.848 million) and second most touchdowns scored by any player behind Jerry Rice (53).
Anquan's mother died when he was very young which is said to be one of the reasons why he loves helping others so much through his charity work - The Anquan Boldin Foundation Inc.. Anquan Boldin is a nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.
He played college ball at the University of Virginia before being drafted by the Ravens in 2003. Boldin has been one of Baltimore's most consistent players over the past decade, helping lead his team to two Super Bowl appearances (XLVII, XLVIII) and a championship (2015).
In 2018 he was traded to San Francisco where he currently plays for the 49ers. Boldin ranks sixth all-time in receiving yards with 13779, eighth in receptions with 1127 and ninth in touchdowns with 82 career scores.
Also Played For: florida state seminoles football
26. Daryl Washington
Linebacker
Career
- Second-team All-Pro (2012)
- Pro Bowl (2012)
- First-team All-American (2009)
- First-team All-MWC (2009)
Daryl Washington was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2010 draft. He had a successful career with the team, playing linebacker for six seasons.
In 2013, he pleaded guilty to felony assault and was suspended from the NFL for one year.
After serving his suspension, Washington signed with the Seattle Seahawks but was released after two months due to off-the-field issues again. He is currently unsigned and is looking for another football opportunity.
Washington was a First-team All-American in 2009 and went on to play four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
In 2012, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals and had an outstanding season, recording 98 tackles (second most in the NFL) and 18 sacks (tied for third). Washington has also been a Pro Bowler twice, as well as being named Second Team All-Pro both years.
Also Played For: tcu horned frogs football
27. Rob Moore
Career
- Montclair HS (NJ) (2002–2003)Wide receivers coach
- Phoenix JC (2009)Wide receivers coach
- Syracuse (2010–2012)Wide receivers coach
- Buffalo Bills (2013–2014)Wide receivers coach
- Oakland Raiders (2015–2017)Wide receivers coach
- Tennessee Titans (2018–present) Wide receivers coach
Moore became the Titans' wide receivers coach in 2013 after spending three seasons as Buffalo Bills' receivers coach.
Moore has extensive experience coaching at the college level, including two seasons with Syracuse where he helped lead the Orange to an 11-3 record and a berth in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football playoffs.
Moore also spent one season coaching wide receivers at Montclair High School before becoming a graduate assistant at Syracuse for two years.
He began his NFL career as a player with the New York Jets from 1990-1994 before joining Arizona Cardinals as their wide receiver coach from 1995-2001 BBALLBREAKDOWN Rob Moore began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders in 2015.
Moore then moved to Tennessee, where he served as wide receivers coach for the Titans from 2018-present. He has helped guide several receivers to success including Tajae Sharpe and Rishard Matthews who were both first-team All Pro's during his tenure with the Titans.
Moore holds a wealth of experience having played in over 1,000 games over 12 seasons with ten different teams (including stints with New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers).
28. David Johnson
Running back
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2015–2019)
- Houston Texans (2020–2021)
- New Orleans Saints (2022–present)
David Johnson is a running back for the Arizona Cardinals and has had a successful career in the NFL. David Johnson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015 and has been with them ever since.
David Johnson is known for his speed, power, and versatility as a runner on offense. In 2018, David Johnson led all running backs with 1,087 yards from scrimmage on 116 carries (6th most in NFL).
He also scored 10 touchdowns that year which helped lead the Arizona Cardinals to their first playoff appearance in over ten years.
DavidJohnson earn his second Pro Bowl selection after another stellar season where he ran for 1,118 yards from scrimmage (5th best total) along with 8 touchdowns (tied 2nd most).
DavidJohnson who just signed a 3-year contract extension worth $50 million dollars. David Johnson was a three-time first team All-Pro and two time Pro Bowler.
He is one of the most explosive running backs in NFL history, with over 4,000 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on his resume. Johnson has also been a reliable receiver out of the backfield, catching 273 passes for 2,758 yards and 18 TDs during his career.
With back to back MVP awards under his belt (2016 & 2017), there's no doubt that David Johnson is one of the elite players in NFL history - if not THE elite player at his position.
Also Played For: madden nfl 18, madden nfl 20
29. Tyrann Mathieu
Safety
Career
- Super Bowl champion (LIV)
- 3× First-team All-Pro (2015, 2019, 2020)
- Second-team All-Pro (2019)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2015, 2020, 2021)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2013)
- Chuck Bednarik Award (2011)
- SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2011)
- Consensus All-American (2011)
- First-team All-SEC (2011)
Tyrann Mathieu was a three-time first-team all-pro safety for the Arizona Cardinals from 2013 to 2017. In 2018, he signed with the Houston Texans and led the team in interceptions.
With the Chiefs in 2019 and 2020, he recorded two more interceptions each season. The New Orleans Saints claimed him off waivers prior to the 2021 season and have since rewarded him with four Pro Bowl selections and one Super Bowl championship ring as their starting free safety.
Tyrann Mathieu is a two-time Pro Bowler and All-American who was drafted eighth overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2010 NFL Draft.
He played college football at LSU where he was twice named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and finished his career with 767 tackles, 104 sacks, 20 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 77 passes defended, and 3 defensive touchdowns.
After being traded to the Houston Texans in 2015, Tyrann Mathieu became one of just six players to win an MVP Award (2015), Super Bowl (2017), and World Series championship (2018).
In 2019 he won Second Team All-Pro honors after recording 64 tackles, 10 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception while playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
Also Played For: lsu tigers football, madden nfl 21
30. John David Crow
Career
- 2× First-team All-Pro (1959, 1960)
- Second-team All-Pro (1962)
- 4× Pro Bowl (1959, 1960, 1962, 1965)
- NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
- Heisman Trophy (1957)
- UPI Player of the Year (1957)
- Sporting News Player of the Year (1957)
- Unanimous All-American (1957)
Crow attended Springhill High School in Springhill, Louisiana, and starred both on the gridiron and track & field teams. Crow was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1958 but spent most of his playing career with the St.
Louis Rams before finishing it off with a season with the San Francisco 49ers. After retiring as a player, Crow served as an assistant coach at Alabama (1969-1971) and then Cleveland Browns (1972-1973).
He also served one term as head coach of Northeast Louisiana University from 1976 to 1980 before joining Texas A&M's athletic department in 1983 as assistant athletic director.
Crow retired from his position at Texas A&M after 12 years in 1993 but continued to work for the school until 2001.
When he was named Athletic Director at Northeast Louisiana University where he remained until his death aged 79 on June 17, 2015 Crow was one of the most dominant running backs in NFL history.
He won multiple awards and accolades, including two First-team All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowl appearances.
Crow also led the University of Oklahoma to a national championship in 1957, earning unanimous All-American honors along the way. After retiring from football, Crow went on to have a successful career as an executive with PepsiCo.
31. Bertrand Berry
Defensive end
Career
- Indianapolis Colts (1997–1999)
- Edmonton Eskimos (2000)
- Denver Broncos (2001–2003)
- Arizona Cardinals (2004–2009)
Berry was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Indianapolis Colts from 1997 to 1999. He signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2000, and had two more productive seasons before being traded to Denver in 2003.
In 2004, he joined the Arizona Cardinals and led them in sacks for four consecutive seasons (2005–2008). Berry missed most of 2009 due to injury but recovered to play one season for Houston before retiring at the end of 2010.
Berry was a dominant player in the NFL for over a decade, winning multiple awards and accolades along the way. He was one of the most consistent defensive players in league history, consistently putting up great numbers year after year.
Berry is still playing professionally today, doing so with the Indianapolis Colts as a member of their coaching staff.
32. Vai Sikahema
Running back
Career
Vai Sikahema is a Tongan running back who played for St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, and Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL. He was drafted by the St.
Louis/Phoenix Cardinals in 1986 and played there until 1990 before being traded to the Green Bay Packers where he spent three seasons.
In 1992, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and remained with them until 1993 when he retired after playing in all 16 games of his final season.
Sikahema has since had a successful career as a kickoff returner with both teams that have employed him post-football including stints with the San Francisco 49ers (1994–1996) and Oakland Raiders (1998).
He currently resides in Utah where he works as an assistant football coach at Brigham Young University-Hawaii Vai Sikahema was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection in his 15 seasons in the NFL.
He played for the Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams during his career. He is best known for his rushing ability as he racked up 10,246 yards on 523 carries over the course of his career with 52 touchdowns.
Sikahema also caught 272 passes for 2,861 yards and 14 touchdowns during his time in the NFL.
33. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Dimeback
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2008–2010)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2011–2012)
- Denver Broncos (2013)
- New York Giants (2014–2017)
- Oakland Raiders (2018)
- Washington Redskins (2019)
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a cornerback who has played in the NFL for eight seasons. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2008 and spent four years there before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2011, he was signed by the Denver Broncos and helped them win two Super Bowls during his time with them. After leaving Denver, he joined the New York Giants and remained with them until 2017 when he was released following their loss in the playoffs that year.
The Oakland Raiders claimed him on waivers shortly afterward and he stayed with them until 2018 when they decided to release him as well; however, Washington later signed him to a contract extension just prior to the start of the 2019 season.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a talented cornerback who has spent his entire career with the New York Giants.
He was selected to two Pro Bowls and earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2016. In 2007, he became the first FCS player ever to be named First Team All-American by The Sporting News magazine.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie also ranks second all-time at Syracuse in interceptions (30) and defensive touchdowns. After playing college football for Syracuse, Dominique Rodgers Cromartie signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2007.
34. Lyle Sendlein
Center
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2007–2015)
Lyle Sendlein is a center for the Arizona Cardinals and has been with the team since 2007. He was born in 1984 in Edina, Minnesota, Q and attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
After graduating from high school, he played college football at Texas where he was an Undrafted Free Agent in 2007. Lyle began his professional career by signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent but was waived before making it to their roster.
He then signed with the St Louis Rams but again failed to make an NFL roster and subsequently retired from playing football after being released by the Rams during training camp in 2008.
Lyle then returned to play football professionally overseas for two seasons (2009-2010) before joining the Cardinals organization on a tryout basis in 2011.
He made his NFL debut that season and has remained a member of the team ever since except for one brief stint (2013) when he spent time on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Lyle is married and has two children - son Caden who was born on November 26th, 2013; and daughter Sydnee Rose who was born on December 8th, 2016. Lyle Sendlein is a former NFL player who was most notably a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
As an offensive lineman, he played in 136 games over the course of his career and started 124 of them. He earned several accolades including being named to two Pro Bowls and winning the 2005 National Championship with Arizona.
After retiring from football, Sendlein worked as an analyst for Fox Sports before joining the St Louis Rams staff as their assistant head coach/offensive line coach in 2018.
He is married with three children and has been involved in coaching both on and off the field since retiring from professional football.
35. Antrel Rolle
Cornerback
Career
- Super Bowl champion (XLVI)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (2010, 2013)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2009, 2010, 2013)
- BCS national champion (2001)
- Unanimous All-American (2004)
- Jack Tatum Trophy (2004)
- First-team All-Big East (2002)
- First-team All-ACC (2004)
Antrel Rolle is a defensive back who was drafted by the Giants in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played for Arizona Cardinals (2005-2009) and New York Giants (2010-2014).
In 2015, he signed with Chicago Bears. Antrel has been a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, winning XLVI in 2014 over Seattle Seahawks.
He also won the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers in 2012 and was part of the victorious team at the 2011 Pro Bowl as well as being named First Team All-Pro twice during his career.
Antrel started playing football when he was just five years old after being inspired by his older brother's sport participation. However, it wasn't until high school that he seriously considered pursuing a career in football instead of basketball or track & field like most kids do at that age level.
Antrel attended Miami University after graduating from South Dade High School in 2002. He majored in business management and played football there on scholarship through the 2004 season, recording 45 tackles and three interceptions.
Which he returned for a touchdown his senior year and helped the Miami Hurricanes make their first bowl appearance since 1984.
Following college graduation, Antrel embarked on an impressive professional career starting out with stints with Arizona Cardinals and then finally signing with divisional rivals -New York Giant Rolle was a two-time second-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler with the New York Giants.
Rolle was a unanimous first-team All-American at Syracuse University before being drafted by the Giants in 2004. Rolle helped lead SU to back-to-back Big East titles and an ACC championship as well during his college career.
After only playing four seasons, Antrel Rolle announced his retirement from the NFL in 2013 after 11 years of play including five with the Giants organization. He is now an analyst for Fox Sports 1's coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII alongside Charles Woodson and Erin Andrews.
36. Neil Rackers
Placekicker
Career
- Cincinnati Bengals (2000–2002)
- Arizona Cardinals (2003–2009)
- Houston Texans (2010–2011)
- Washington Redskins (2012)*
Neil Rackers is a former kicker for the Washington Redskins. Rackers has made over 300 career field goals, including 177 in his time with the Redskins.
He was selected to play in three Pro Bowls while with the Bengals and Cardinals.
In 2012, he signed with the Redskins as an off-season addition but only lasted one season before being released by new head coach Jay Gruden midway through 2013 preseason action.
After briefly retiring from football following his release from Washington, Rackers came out of retirement to join the Texans' practice squad late in 2014 and later their active roster in 2015.
Where he played until being waived at the end of that year's regular season campaign Neil Rackers was one of the most prolific and accurate kickers in NFL history.
He led the league in field goal attempts twice and made 80 percent of his kicks, both records at the time. In 2005, he won PFW Golden Toe Award as the best kicker in the NFL.
He played for five teams over nine seasons: Houston Oilers (1998-2001), Chicago Bears (2002-2004), Tennessee Titans (2005-2007), Philadelphia Eagles (2008), and Washington Redskins (2009).
After finishing his career with Washington Redskins, Neil joined ESPN as a studio analyst for their Monday Night Football coverage from the 2013 to 2016 season before moving on to Fox Sports where he currently works as an NFL insider commentator.
37. Larry Wilson
Career
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1966)
- 6× First-team All-Pro (1963, 1966–1970)
- Second-team All-Pro (1965)
- 8× Pro Bowl (1962, 1963, 1965–1970)
- NFL interceptions leader (1966)
- NFL 1960s All-Decade Team
- NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- Arizona Cardinals No. 8 retired
Larry Wilson was a standout safety at Utah and led the nation with nine interceptions in 1960. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 1960 NFL Draft but did not play in any games for them.
He played for four seasons (1960-1963) with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring from playing football. In 1966, he became a police officer in Scottsdale, Arizona, and served there until his retirement in 2010.
Larry Wilson died on September 17th, 2020 at age 82 after a long battle with cancer Larry Wilson was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 1960 NFL Draft.
He played for St. Louis from 1960 to 1972 and won six Pro Bowls during his career. After retiring as a player, he became an executive with the Cardinals, serving as scouting director from 1973 to 1976 and then personnel director from 1977 to 1987.
In 1988, he was named VP and GM of the Phoenix Cardinals before moving on to become VP of football operations for Arizona in 1994. He retired after 20 years with the Cardinals organization in 2002 but remains involved with team affairs as a consultant
Also Played For: utah utes football
38. Charley Trippi
Career
- NFL champion (1947)
- First-team All-Pro (1948)
- Second-team All-Pro (1947)
- 2× Pro Bowl (1952, 1953)
- NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- National champion (1942)
- Maxwell Award (1946)
- SEC Player of the Year (1946)
- Unanimous All-American (1946)
- 2× First-team All-SEC (1945, 1946)
- Georgia Bulldogs No. 62 retired
Trippi was one of the greatest halfbacks in NFL history. He played for six seasons with the Chicago Cardinals and led his team to a championship in 1947.
Trippi also had success playing quarterback, leading the Cardinals to two more championships in 1951 and 1955. Charley Trippi passed away on October 19, 2022 at the age of 100 years old after a long and successful career in professional football.
Trippi was one of the most dominant running backs in NFL history. He won three championships with the Chicago Bears and finished his career with over 12,000 rushing yards and 100 touchdowns. Trippi was an All-Pro selection six times and led the league in rushing twice.
He also threw a touchdown pass in a 1951 playoff game against Cleveland that helped lead the Bears to their fourth championship victory. Trippi is considered one of the greatest players in Cardinals history and is enshrined in team lore as part of Ring of Honor inductees.
His number 62 has been retired by Arizona State University where he played college football before entering professional football.
Also Played For: georgia bulldogs football
39. Chandler Jones
Defensive end
Career
- Super Bowl champion (XLIX)
- 2× First-team All-Pro (2017, 2019)
- 4× Pro Bowl (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)
- NFL sacks leader (2017)
- NFL forced fumbles co-leader (2019)
- Butkus Award (2019)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2012)
- New England Patriots All-2010s Team
- 2× All-Big East (2010, 2011)
Chandler Jones is a defensive end who played for the New England Patriots from 2012-2015 and then signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016. Chandler Jones has Pro Bowl appearances in 2013, 2014, and 2015 as well as All-Pro selections in 2013 and 2014.
Chandler Jones was released by the Cardinals at the end of the 2018 season after playing just one game due to an injury.
He is currently a free agent again. Chandler Jones stands at 6'5" and weighs 260 pounds, making him an imposing figure on opposing offenses Chandler Jones is a Super Bowl champion and 4-time Pro Bowler with 112 sacks in nine years in the NFL.
Chandler Jones was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2010 and has been an essential part of their defense ever since, being named to multiple All-Pro teams and leading the team in sacks each year he has played.
In 2018, Chandler Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury which ended his career at just 29 years old.
Also Played For: syracuse orange football
40. Reggie Wells
Guard
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (2003−2009)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2010)
- Carolina Panthers (2011)
- Green Bay Packers (2012)*
- San Diego Chargers (2012)*
- Buffalo Bills (2012)
- San Diego Chargers (2012)
Reggie Wells was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro with the Arizona Cardinals. In 2010, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and played there until he retired in 2014.
Reggie is known for his quickness off the line of scrimmage and is an excellent run blocker. He has also been praised for his toughness and perseverance both on and off the field, which have led to numerous injuries but never deterred him from continuing to play football at a high level.
At 42 years old, Reggie Wells officially announced his retirement from professional football on February 10th, 2019 after 14 seasons in the NFL. Reggie Wells was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He started all 16 games for the Packers that season and had 42 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.
In 2013, he played in 13 games with 3 starts and had 36 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection. The Chargers signed Wells to a three-year contract prior to the start of the 2014 season but he was waived during final cuts on September 5th before appearing in any game for San Diego.
He later joined the Buffalo Bills practice squad where he spent the remainder of the preseason and regular season until his release on December 12th.
Reggie Wells is currently unsigned as a free agent after being released by Buffalo Bills late last month
41. Leonard Davis
Guard
Career
- Second-team All-Pro (2007)
- 3× Pro Bowl (2007–2009)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2001)
- Consensus All-American (2000)
- First-team All-Big 12 (2000)
- Second-team All-Big 12 (1999)
Leonard Davis was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Leonard Davis played guard and tackle in the NFL, but is best known for his stint as a Cowboy where he started all 16 games of the 2007 season at right tackle.
In 2011, Davis signed with the Lions, but was released before the start of the 2012 season after struggling with injuries. He has since retired from football.
Leonard Davis is married to his wife Christy and they have three children together - daughters Ayden (born 2005) and Kennedy (born 2008), son Landon (born 2010).
Leonard Davis was one of the most productive and consistent running backs in NFL history. He had a long career with the San Francisco 49ers, starting 155 games over 13 seasons. Davis won three Pro Bowls and was second-team All-Pro twice.
He also received consensus All-American honors in 2000 while at Oklahoma State University before being drafted by the 49ers in 2001.
Leonard is best known for his work as a receiver out of the backfield, but he also ran for over 1,000 yards four times on the ground and caught more than 50 passes five times during his career as well.
42. Night Train Lane
Career
- 7× First-team All-Pro (1956–1957, 1959–1963)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1954, 1958, 1963)
- 7× Pro Bowl (1954–1956, 1958, 1960–1962)
- 2× NFL interceptions leader (1952, 1954)
- NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
- NFL 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- Pride of the Lions
- Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team
- Detroit Lions All-Time Team
Night Train Lane was a cornerback with the Los Angeles Rams from 1952 to 1953 and then played for the Chicago Cardinals from 1954 to 1959. Night Train Lane was born on April 16, 1928, in Austin, Texas.
Night Train Lane died on January 29, 2002, in Austin, Texas at the age of 73 after battling Alzheimer's Disease for several years. At 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and 194 lb (88 kg), Night Train Lane was an imposing figure on the gridiron during his playing days.
After retiring as a player, Night Train Lane worked as a scout with both NFL teams until his death Night Train Lane was one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history. He led the league in interceptions twice and had over 1,000 yards receiving each season he played.
Night Train Lane is also credited with inventing the “nightmare” pass play which helped lead to Detroit Lions' success in the 1950s.
43. Roger Wehrli
Career
- 5× First-team All-Pro (1970, 1974–1977)
- Second-team All-Pro (1971)
- 7× Pro Bowl (1970, 1971, 1974–1977, 1979)
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
- NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
- Consensus All-American (1968)
- Missouri Tigers No. 23 retired
Roger Wehrli was an All-Pro cornerback for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1969 to 1982. He was a two-time First Team All-Pro and helped the Cardinals win five division titles during that span.
After playing his entire career with the Cardinals, Wehrli retired in 1982 after helping lead St. Louis to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. Roger Wehrli is now 75 years old and resides in New Point, Missouri with his wife of 44 years, Bettye Jean Wehrli."
Wehrli's son Christian plays football at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Roger Wehrli was a consensus All-American in 1968 at Missouri.
He played seven seasons with the Cardinals, becoming one of their all-time greats and earning two Pro Bowl appearances. In 1984, he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers but never made it to an NFL game due to injury.
After retiring from football, Wehrli began his coaching career as linebackers coach for the St Louis Rams (1987–1989).
From 1990 to 1995, he served as defensive coordinator for four different teams: Oakland Raiders (1990), Miami Dolphins (1991), New Orleans Saints (1992), and Buffalo Bills (1993).
Since 1996, Wehrli has been head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europa where he has led them to three league championships over that time period including back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
44. Ollie Matson
Career
- 7× First-team All-Pro (1952, 1954–1959)
- 6× Pro Bowl (1952, 1954–1958)
- NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
- Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
- Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor
Ollie Matson was a halfback for eight seasons in the NFL. He played for the Cardinals, Rams, Lions, and Eagles. Ollie was born in Trinity, Texas on May 1, 1930.
After high school, he attended San Francisco State University where he starred as a running back for the Washington football team from 1949 to 1951. In 1952, Ollie was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals and spent five seasons with them before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1959.
Ollie had his most successful season with the Rams in 1961 when they reached the NFL championship game but lost to Green Bay Packers (the eventual champions).
Over his career, Matson amassed over 12000 yards rushing and 50 touchdowns on offense while also catching 324 passes for 4394 yards and 10 scores - making him one of pro football's all-time prolific receivers/passers.
OLLIE MATSON DIED OF A HEART ATTACK ON FEBRUARY 19TH 2011 IN LOS ANGELES CA AT THE AGE OF 80 Ollie Matson was a Hall of Fame running back who played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1950s.
He was a six-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in rushing yards five times. Matson is best known for his stellar seasons with the Eagles, where he averaged over four yards per carry and scored 40 touchdowns from 1952 to 1959.
After retiring from football, Matson enjoyed a successful career as an executive with PepsiCo Inc., serving as president of its North American operations from 1996 to 2002. Ollie Matson passed away at age 83 on May 10, 2017, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
45. Larry Stallings
Career
- Larry Stallings: former NFL linebacker for St. Louis Cardinals.
- 14-season career from 1963 to 1976.
- 1970 Pro Bowl selection.
- Drafted in 1963 NFL draft, 18th round, 241st pick.
- College at Georgia Tech.
Stallings was a linebacker for the Evansville Purple Aces from 1960 to 1962. He helped lead Evansville to back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1961 and 1962, before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1963 NFL Draft.
Stallings played six seasons with the Eagles and Chicago Bears, retiring in 1967 after recording 174 tackles and five sacks. After his retirement from football, Stallings worked as an insurance executive until he retired in 1993.
In 1998, Stallings was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame alongside teammates Dick Butkus and Jim Brownlee Jr.
Larry Stallings is currently a resident of Louisville, Kentucky where he continues to work as an insurance executive Larry Stallings was a quarterback for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1963 to 1976.
He won one Pro Bowl and finished his career with a record of 188-143-3. Larry Stallings was drafted in the 18th round of the 1963 NFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football at Georgia Tech, where he led his team to two ACC championships and an appearance in the Sugar Bowl.
In 1973, Stallings became the first African American quarterback ever elected captain of an NFL team (the Cleveland Browns). He served as captain until 1975 when he retired after playing 16 seasons in the league.
After retiring from professional football, Larry Stallings worked as a television commentator and served as head coach for both Division III Western Carolina University and Eastern Kentucky University before returning to broadcasting full-time in 2006.
46. Rich Camarillo
Career
- First-team All-Pro (1992)
- 3× Second-team All-Pro (1983, 1989, 1993)
- 5× Pro Bowl (1983, 1989, 1991–1993)
- New England Patriots All-1980s Team
- New England Patriots 35th Anniversary Team
- New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team
- PFW Golden Toe Award (1992)
Camarillo is most famous for being a punter with the New England Patriots from 1981-1987. Camarillo also played in Los Angeles with the Rams from 1988-1993 and then on to Oakland in 1996.
Camarillo was born in Whittier, California, and attended high school at Pico Rivera before going on to play college football at Washington where he was an All-American selection his senior year.
Unheralded by scouts, Camarillo signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots in 1981 and went on to be one of their most consistent players over nine seasons punting for an average of 41 yards per punt which helped led them to five Super Bowl victories (1981-1985).
After leaving the NFL, Camarillo spent two years playing with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring after the 1995 season finishing his career ranked 4th all-time in NFL history for net yardage gained (9390), second behind only Ray Guy(10394).
In 2006, Rich became Punter Coach for Division II Sacramento State University leading them to three consecutive Western Athletic Conference titles (2007-2009) before taking over as Head Coach during the 2010 season posting an undefeated 10-0 record including a victory against nationally ranked Hawaii Pacific University.
Now known as UC Davis - making him just the 2nd coach ever (after Jim McMillian at San Jose State) to win 100 games while coaching exclusively Division II football teams.
Rich Camarillo was an all-around standout in his NFL career, playing both offense and defense. He had a successful spell with the New England Patriots, winning three Second Team All-Pro honors along the way.
Elsewhere he also enjoyed success with Washington (two Pro Bowls) and San Diego (one). In 1992 Camarillo won the PFW Golden Toe Award for being the best punter in football that year.
47. Bobby Joe Conrad
Career
- New York Giants (1958)*
- Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals (1958–1968)
- Dallas Cowboys (1969)
Conrad was a wide receiver for the New York Giants and Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals from 1958 to 1968. Conrad is best known for his time with the Dallas Cowboys, where he played from 1969 to 1978.
Conrad was also a member of the US national football team in 1957 and 1961, as well as winning two Super Bowls with the Cowboys (1971 and 1973). After retiring from playing professional football, Conrad served as an assistant coach for various teams until 1987.
At 87 years old, Bobby Joe Conrad remains one of the oldest players ever to compete in an NFL game. Conrad was a dominant receiver during his playing days with the Baltimore Colts. He won First-team All-Pro honors in 1963 and 1964, as well as being named to the Pro Bowl both years.
After retiring from football, Conrad became one of the NFL's top receivers scouting departments. In 1984 he was hired by then Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy as an assistant coach; he held that position until 1994. Conrad died on February 5th, 2018 at the age of 80 after a long battle with brain cancer
48. Frank Sanders
Career
- Arizona Cardinals (1995–2002)
- Baltimore Ravens (2003)
Frank Sanders was a wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks from 1995-2006. He had his best season in 1998 when he recorded 82 catches for 1,332 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In 2006, Sanders was released by the Seahawks after nine seasons with the team. Since then, Sanders has played for several teams in the NFL but has not been able to recapture his former form.
At 49 years old, Frank Sanders is still playing professional football and hoping to rekindle his past success one day Sanders was a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest receivers in NFL history.
He played for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, and Indianapolis Colts over his career. Sanders is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection. He led the NFL in receiving yards twice (1995 with 7,549 and 1998 with 8,192) and receptions once (1999).
Sanders holds several franchise records including the most touchdown receptions in a season by a receiver (14 in 1999), and the most consecutive games with at least one reception (19 total from 1995 to 1997).
The highest single-game reception average (146 yards on 9 catches against Denver Broncos on December 12, 1996) and most seasons leading the league in receiving touchdowns ((1994–1998)).
49. Terry Metcalf
Career
- St. Louis Cardinals (1973–1977)
- Toronto Argonauts (1978–1980)
- Washington Redskins (1981)
Terry Metcalf was a running back for the St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Argonauts, and Washington Redskins during his career. He finished his NFL career with 1,815 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 422 carries.
Metcalf also added 857 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 92 receptions in 10 seasons in the league.
Terry Metcalf was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and first-team All-American at the University of Miami. He played in 13 seasons with the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers.
Terry Metcalf retired as the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards (3,498) and touchdowns (24). In 1996 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
50. Eric Swann
Career
- Bay State Titans (1990)
- Phoenix / Arizona Cardinals (1991–2000)
- Carolina Panthers (2000)
Eric Swann was drafted in the first round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. He played for them from 1991 to 2000 and recorded 333 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery during his career.
Eric Swann is best known for being a defensive tackle with the Cardinals but he has also played at both guard positions and defensive end in his career. Eric Swann has been involved with charitable work throughout his NFL career including hosting a "Packages For Pat" drive which collects donations for children's hospitals across Arizona.
In 2006, Eric SWANN announced that he had retired after 11 seasons in professional football due to injury concerns related to arthritis in his neck and spine.
After retiring from professional football, Eric moved back home to North Carolina where he currently works as a real estate agent. Eric Swann is a former NFL cornerback who played for the Carolina Panthers from 2000-2002.
He was drafted by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Eric Swann made his debut with Carolina in Week 2 of the 2000 season and recorded two tackles during that game. In 2001, Eric Swann had an outstanding year as he finished second on the team with 77 tackles while also recording five interceptions and one touchdown.
The following year, 2002, saw Eric Swann struggle to stay healthy as he missed seven games due to injury but still managed to record 39 tackles and one interception during that season.
After spending three seasons with Carolina (2000-03), Eric Swann signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004 where he would spend two years before ending his career in 2007 with Seattle Seahawks.
51. Jamir Miller
Career
- First-team All-Pro (2001)
- Pro Bowl (2001)
- Consensus All-American (1993)
Jamir Miller was drafted by the Cardinals in the 1994 NFL Draft. He had a successful career with them, playing for six seasons before joining the Browns in 1999.
Miller played in Cleveland for two seasons before signing with the Miami Dolphins in 2002. After one season there he returned to Arizona, where he finished his career with three more years of play.
Jamir is currently a linebackers coach at UCLA and has also coached at Texas A&M and Oklahoma State universities over his coaching career thus far Jamir Miller was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl linebacker during his time in the NFL.
He started 104 games over a 12-year career, compiling 669 tackles and 36 quarterback sacks. His best season came in 2001 when he earned First-team All-Pro honors and was also named to the Pro Bowl squad.
Following his retirement from football, Jamir spent several years working as an analyst for ESPN before joining Fox Sports as an NFL Insider in 2017.
Final Words
The Arizona Cardinals have had a long and storied history in the National Football League. The team has featured many talented players who have made their mark on the franchise and the sport. From wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to defensive back Aeneas Williams, the Cardinals have had a number of standout players who have helped lead the team to success.
While the team has faced its share of challenges over the years, the contributions of these great players will always be remembered and celebrated by fans of the Arizona Cardinals.
