Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals Mock Drafts: Scenarios Based on Fitzgerald/Palmer Retirements

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:43 p.m. ET

Fansided, George Stockburger/FanSided via NFL Mocks

Oct 11, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talks to quarterback Carson Palmer (3) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Cardnials won 42-17. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald may not return for the Arizona Cardinals next year. What does that mean for the Cardinals plans come draft day?

The Arizona Cardinals entered this season with Super Bowl aspirations, and you could not fault them for it. With stars on both sides of the ball, the Cardinals were destined to be in Houston for Super Bowl 51.

Injuries and the rapid decline in performance by many of the Cardinals stars ultimately left them on the outside of the playoff race. To make matters worse, quarterback Carson Palmer and franchise legend Larry Fitzgerald are both considering retirement.

If Palmer ultimately retires, the expectation is Fitzgerald will follow suit. He has little to gain from playing with a rookie or mediocre veteran such as Tony Romo or Mike Glennon.

Corey Davis

WR, Western Michigan

Both Palmer and Fitzgerald Retire1

Corey Davis

WR, Western Michigan

Larry Fitzgerald Retires1

Marshon Lattimore

CB, Ohio State

Neither RetiresNext: Second Round

Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) warms up before the start of the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Russell Athletic Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Kaaya

QB, Miami

Both Palmer and Fitzgerald Retire2

Tre'Davious White

CB, LSU

Larry Fitzgerald Retires2

DeMarcus Walker

DE, Florida State

Rasul Douglas

CB, West Virginia

Both Retire3

Tanoh Kpassagnon

DE, Villanova

Fitzgerald Retires3

Chris Godwin

WR, Penn State

Neither RetiresNext: Fourth Round

Sep 10, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Jake Butt (88) makes a reception for a touchdown in the second quarter against the UCF Knights at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Damien Mama

OG, USC

Both Retire4

Jake Butt

TE, Michigan

Fitzgerald Retires4

Nathan Peterman

QB, Pitt

Dawuane Smoot

DE, Illinois

Both Retire5

Nathan Peterman

QB, Pitt

Fitzgerald Retires5

Jake Butt

TE, Michigan

Neither RetiresNext: Sixth Round

Sep 17, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Switzer

WR, North Carolina

Both Retire6

Ryan Switzer

WR, North Carolina

Fitzgerald Retires6

Zane Gonzalez

K, Arizona State

Neither RetireNext: Seventh Round

Sep 12, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Josh Harvey-Clemons (25) warms up before the game against the Houston Cougars at Papa John

Adam Griffith

K, Alabama

Both Retire7

Josh Harvey-Clemons

S, Clemson

Fitzgeral Retires7

Kareem Are

OG, Florida State