The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 43 Arizona Cardinals, 2003

Team Achievements: 47-65, NFL Super Bowl Appearance, 2 playoff berths.
The Cardinals' 2003 Selections: Bryant Johnson, WR, Penn St. (No. 17)
Calvin Pace, DE, Wake Forest (No. 18)
Anquan Boldin, WR Florida St. (No. 54)
Gerald Hayes, LB, Pittsburgh (No. 70)
Kenny King, DT, Alabama (No. 141)
Reggie Wells, G, Clarion (No. 177)
Tony Gilbert, LB, Georgia (No. 210)

* Traded selection Nos. 6, 37, and 102 to New Orleans for Nos. 17, 18, and 54.

Class Accolades: Calvin Pace - 14 sacks, 184 total tackles in 67 games with Cardinals.
Anquan Boldin - Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2003, 3 Pro Bowls, 586 receptions, 7,520 receiving yards, 44 touchdowns in 7 seasons with Arizona, NFL rookie-record for receptions (101) in 2003, 5 seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards, No. 1 in receiving yards per game in 2005 (100.1), No. 3 in receptions in 2003 (101) and 2005 (102).
Bryant Johnson - 210 receptions, 2,675 yards, 9 touchdowns in 5 years with Arizona.
Gerald Hayes - 5.5 sacks, 400 total tackles as 4-year Cardinals' starter.
Reggie Wells - 5-year Cardinals' starter.

** Boldin, Hayes, and Wells all started in Super Bowl XLIII.

Overall Draft Analysis: The Cardinals' 2003 draft class contributed significantly to the team's recent resurgence, culminating in a stunning appearance in Super Bowl XLIII. The Cardinals have secured playoff berths the past two seasons, after reaching the postseason only twice during the previous two decades. An impressive five out of seven selections, ultimately emerged as regular starters for Arizona, headlined by elite NFL receiver, Anquan Boldin.

Slightly overshadowed by the recent brilliance of Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin ranks amongst the decade's most accomplished receivers. The former Seminole-sensation trails only Andre Johnson in total receptions and receiving yards by a player drafted in 2003 or later. In spite of persistent contract disputes, Boldin has displayed unrivaled on-field toughness as one of Kurt Warner's preferred targets. Johnson's five-year stint in Arizona never quite warranted the No. 17 selection, but certainly there have been less productive first-round receivers. The sustained success of the sixth-round pick, Wells, serves as a rare late-round surprise, further accentuating the Cardinals' vaunted '03 class.

Additionally, Hayes and Pace have bolstered the Cardinals' improved defense, although the team cut ties with Pace after a five-year stint in Arizona. However, the third-round selection, Hayes, started in Super Bowl XLIII and has proven versatile in both run support and coverage.

The days of the Cardinals' stellar 2003 draft-class likely remain numbered, in light of Boldin's ongoing frustration. Invariably, the star receiver's "selection-steal," and the class's tremendous depth, significantly supplemented Arizona's recent rise to NFC prominence.

The Cardinals' "Perfect Draft" in Retrospect
(Keeping actual trades, only players of same position are eligible)
No. 17 - WR Anquan Boldin, No. 18 - DE Robert Mathis, No. 54 - WR Nate Burleson, No. 70 - LB Cato June, No. 177 Kris Dielman (Undrafted), No. 210 - LB Gary Brackett (Undrafted).

References: All statistics and draft information provided by NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com.