NFL Draft: Ranking the last 20 No. 1 overall draft picks
By Kyle Edmond
No. 1 – Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants, 2004 NFL Draft
Yes, Eli Manning was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, but given the trade that unfolded, we’ll consider him a pick of the Giants. A part of a talented 2004 class that included Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger, Manning put together one of the better careers of the class, and the best of the last 20 first overall picks.
With two Super Bowl victories, Manning is the only quarterback taken with the top pick over the last 20 years to win a ring, not to mention being the only top pick from the last 20 years to win multiple Super Bowls.
If that isn’t enough to convince you, Manning started all 16 games 13 times as a Giant over 16 seasons with the team. He played in nine games during his rookie season, starting seven, and then started 15 games in 2017 before starting just four last season as the torch was passed to Daniel Jones.
In addition to the Super Bowl wins, Manning also was named to four Pro Bowls and was named the 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year, showing his impact off the field.
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For Manning, the spot at the top of these rankings is due to two major points. Of course the first is the Super Bowl wins, but the second is the stability. Rarely injured, Manning provided a consistent look under center for the Giants, playing the most seasons with the team that “drafted” him of anyone else taken with the first pick over the last 20 years.