Sometimes there’s an obvious answer to a question. Who is the Arizona Cardinals' best draft pick ever? The answer is easy: wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, the third overall pick in 2004.

Larry Fitzgerald has been the face of the Cardinals franchise for over a decade. Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

Why Fitzgerald is best draft pick in Cardinals history: Simply put, he’s the best player in franchise history. Before general manager Steve Keim and coach Bruce Arians paired up in 2013 to run the team’s football operation, the Cardinals had a long history of making the wrong decisions in their draft room. But in 2004, they got it right. Fitzgerald is on the fast track to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He has also become the face of the franchise and, in some ways, a face of the state of Arizona. He’s 11th on the career receptions list and 15th in career receiving yards. He also holds numerous franchise records.

HONORABLE MENTION

Aeneas Williams, S: Williams was drafted in the third round in 1991 (59th overall) out of small Southern University. A safety who could hit hard but was also cerebral, he became one of the best players in Cardinals history, even though the franchise was mired in mediocrity during his tenure. He entered the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Adrian Wilson, S: Ten years after Arizona drafted Williams, they essentially drafted his replacement in Wilson. Taken in the third round in 2001, Wilson became the face of the franchise on defense while Fitzgerald was the face on offense. Wilson established himself as one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the NFL and helped redefine the position. It led him to the Cardinals’ Ring of Honor last year.

Anquan Boldin, WR: Unlike Fitzgerald, Boldin wasn’t the top prize coming out Florida State University. He fell to the second round, but during his time together with Fitzgerald (2004-09), he had only 924 fewer yards than the more-heralded Fitzgerald. Without Boldin, the Cardinals don’t make it to Super Bowl XLIII.

Patrick Peterson, CB: After a series of unimpressive drafts, Arizona scored on its 2012 first-round pick by selecting Peterson fifth overall out of LSU. Peterson has gone to five straight Pro Bowls and established himself as one of the league's elite cornerbacks. But, and maybe most importantly, he’s in line to become the face of the franchise once Fitzgerald retires.

Tyrann Mathieu, S: It might be too early to consider Mathieu one of the Cardinals’ best draft picks. Considering the production they've gotten out of him after taking a chance on him in the third round of the 2013 draft, he makes this list. He has suffered two major knee injuries but earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods last season. If he can stay healthy and maintain his pre-injury 2015 level of play, Mathieu should be considered one of the best draft picks in team history.