Although high-profile deep threats like Mel Gray and Roy Green grabbed national attention, the St. Louis Cardinals discovered their key possession receiver in the 1976 NFL Draft's fourth round. Drafted 114th overall from Louisiana Tech, Pat Tilley entered the Big Red offense discreetly, but his route precision, fearless catches over the middle, and durability made him a dependable target for 11 seasons, establishing himself as one of the franchise's most reliable players.

Tilley didn't have elite speed for breakaways, but he compensated with precise route running and excellent spatial awareness against zone defenses. Whether in the slot or near the sideline, he served as a reliable safety valve for quarterbacks Jim Hart and later Neil Lomax, regularly converting crucial third downs.

Tilley took full control of a starting job in 1978, launching a run in which he led the Cardinals in receiving yards for five consecutive seasons (1978–1982). He recorded four straight years with at least 900 receiving yards. His performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 1980 after hauling in 68 passes for 966 yards and six touchdowns.

His statistical peak arrived during the 1981 campaign. Tilley posted his first career 1,000-yard season, catching 66 passes for 1,040 receiving yards while averaging 15.8 yards per catch. He remained a vital piece of the offense through the mid-1980s, starting every game from 1983 through 1985.

Tilley retired following the 1986 season, spending his entire 11-year NFL career wearing a St. Louis jersey. At the time of his retirement, his 468 receptions ranked second in franchise history, behind only Jackie Smith. Across 147 regular-season games, he accumulated 7,005 receiving yards and 37 touchdown catches.