GM: Cardinals Won’t Factor Larry Fitzgerald’s TBD Status When Making Pick

With less than a week until the 2021 NFL Draft, veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald has yet to announce whether he plans to retire or return for an 18th season with the Arizona Cardinals.

Around the NFL's Kevin Patra reports that Fitzgerald has declined to state his intention several times this offseason, and that the team is in no hurry for an answer. General Manager Steve Keim even says it won't impact the team's draft board.

"No matter what Larry decides, it does not affect our draft plans," Keim said Thursday. "To me, you can't have enough good players at one position."

The Cardinals sit with the No. 16 overall pick and just six selections overall after trading away their third and fourth-rounders, the article states.

"Where we're sitting, I think it would be more likely to trade back than to trade up," Keim said. "As far as trading back and accumulating more picks, (the draft) is no different than a lottery ticket. The more you have, the better chance you have to hit."

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he hasn't talked to Fitzgerald either.

"My communication with Larry has literally consisted of golf, investments or Phoenix Suns basketball," Kingsbury said. "Larry is going to decide this on his time."

ProFootballRumors.com reports that Keim anticipates that there will be five or six receivers taken in Round One, which would leave plenty of quality options for the team.