Ranking The 10 Greatest NFL Draft 1st Rounds of All-Time
By Erik Lambert
#2: 2004
Total draft slots: 32
Pro Bowlers: 15
It’s amazing to think how significant an impact this draft class continues to have on the league 13 years after it occurred. Much of that is thanks to the trio of outstanding QBs who turned it into a spectacle. It started with Eli Manning, future two-time Super Bowl MVP, refusing to play for the San Diego Chargers who owned the #1 pick. Then it was the New York Giants making a bold trade after drafting Philip Rivers (five-time Pro Bowler) to bring Eli to the Big Apple in a blockbuster deal. Then there was Ben Roethlisberger who fell to Pittsburgh at the 11th pick. Only to win Rookie of the Year and win two championships in his first five seasons.
That’s before getting to the rest of the crop. Vince Wilfork was a pillar at nose tackle for New England, winning three titles. Larry Fitzgerald emerged as the greatest playoff performer of a generation. Then of course there are those keep-on-truckin’ types like Steven Jackson and Jason Babin who seemed to get better as they got older. Unfortunately it’s also a round marked by tragedy. Tommie Harris saw a dominant run at defensive tackle ruined by knee injuries. Sean Taylor was cut down by a gunman just as his career was taking off. Too many what-ifs in an otherwise outstanding group to place it #1.