Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to 2004 NFL draft.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
2004 NFL draft
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| 2004 NFL draft | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Date | April 24–25, 2004 |
| Location | Theater at MSG in New York City |
| Networks | ESPN, ESPN2 |
| Overview | |
| 255 total selections in 7 rounds | |
| League | NFL |
| First selection | Eli Manning, QB San Diego Chargers |
| Mr. Irrelevant | Andre Sommersell, LB Oakland Raiders |
| Most selections (13) | Tennessee Titans |
| Fewest selections (4) | Washington Redskins |
| Hall of Famers | 1
|
The 2004 NFL draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held from April 24–25, 2004, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[1][2][3] No teams chose to claim any players in the supplemental draft that year.
The draft was shown on ESPN both days and eventually moved to ESPN2 both days. The draft began with the San Diego Chargers selecting Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning with the first overall selection. Due to his refusal to play for the Chargers, Manning was later traded to the New York Giants for the fourth overall pick Philip Rivers of NC State. There were 32 compensatory selections distributed among 16 teams, with the Eagles, Rams, and Jets each receiving 4 compensatory picks.[4] Seven wide receivers were selected in the first round, a draft record later tied in 2024.[5] Another record set by the draft was the most trades in the first round, with twenty-eight trades. The University of Miami set an NFL record for the most first rounders drafted with six, which would be tied by Alabama in 2021. Ohio State set an NFL draft record having 14 total players selected through all rounds. It was the first draft to have produced two quarterbacks who each won multiple Super Bowls, with Ben Roethlisberger winning his second in 2008 and Eli Manning his second in 2011.
The 255 players chosen in the draft were composed of:
|
|
|
Player selections
[edit]
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Quarterbacks Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger (top to bottom) each served as the franchise starters of their teams for nearly two decades
Notable undrafted players
[edit]
| † | = Pro Bowler[n 1] |
Hall of Famers
[edit]- Jared Allen, defensive end from Idaho State, taken 4th round 126th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Trades
[edit]In the explanations below, (D) denotes trades that took place during the 2004 Draft, while (PD) indicates trades completed pre-draft.
- Round one
- ^ No. 1: San Diego → New York Giants. San Diego traded Manning to the New York Giants in exchange for Philip Rivers and the Giants' third round selection in this draft (#65) and their first- and fifth-round selections in 2005[6]
- ^ No. 4: New York Giants → San Diego (D). See No. 1: San Diego → New York Giants.
- ^ No. 6: Detroit → Cleveland (D). Detroit traded its first-round selection (6th) to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's first- and second-round selections (7th and 37th).
- ^ No. 7: Cleveland → Detroit (D). see No. 6: Detroit → Cleveland.
- ^ No. 16: San Francisco → Philadelphia (D). San Francisco traded its first-round selection (16th) to Philadelphia in exchange for Philadelphia's first- and second-round selections (28th and 58th).
- ^ No. 17: Cincinnati → Denver (D). Cincinnati traded its first-round selection (17th) to Denver in exchange for Denver's first- and fourth-round selections (24th and 117th) and CB Deltha O'Neal.
- ^ No. 19: Minnesota → Miami (D). Minnesota traded its first-round selection (19th) to Miami in exchange for Miami's first- and fourth-round selections (20th and 119th).
- ^ No. 20: Miami → Minnesota (D). see No. 19: Minnesota → Miami.
- ^ No. 21: Baltimore → New England (PD). Baltimore traded its second-round selection (41st) in 2003 and this first-round selection (21st) to New England in exchange for New England's first-round selection (19th) in 2003.
- ^ No. 22: Dallas → Buffalo (D). Dallas traded its first-round selection (22nd) to Buffalo in exchange for Buffalo's second- and fifth-round selections (43rd and 144th) and first-round selection (20th) in 2005.
- ^ No. 24: multiple trades:
No. 24: Denver → Cincinnati (D). see No. 17: Cincinnati → Denver.
No. 24: Cincinnati → St. Louis (D). Cincinnati traded this first-round selection (24th) to St. Louis in exchange for St. Louis' first- and fourth-round selections (26th and 123rd). - ^ No. 26: St. Louis → Cincinnati (D). see No. 24: Cincinnati → St. Louis.
- ^ No. 27: Tennessee → Houston (D). Tennessee traded its first- and fifth-round selections (27th and 159th) to Houston in exchange for Houston's second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round selections (40th, 71st, 103rd and 138th).
- ^ No. 28: multiple trades:
No. 28: Philadelphia → San Francisco (D). see No. 16: San Francisco → Philadelphia.
No. 28: San Francisco → Carolina (D). San Francisco traded this first-round selection (28th) to Carolina in exchange for Carolina's first- and fourth-round selections (31st and 127th). - ^ No. 29: Indianapolis → Atlanta (D). Indianapolis traded its first- and third-round selections (29th and 90th) to Atlanta in exchange for Atlanta's second-, third- and fourth-round selections (38th, 69th and 125th).
- ^ No. 30: Kansas City → Detroit (D). Kansas City traded its first-round selection (30th) to Detroit in exchange for Detroit's second- and fourth-round selections (36th and 105th) and fifth-round selection (147th) in 2005.
- ^ No. 31: Carolina → San Francisco (D). see No. 28: San Francisco → Carolina.
- Round two
- ^ No. 36: Detroit → Kansas City (D). see No. 30: Kansas City → Detroit.
- ^ No. 37: Cleveland → Detroit (D). see No. 6: Detroit → Cleveland.
- ^ No. 38: multiple trades:
No. 38: Atlanta → Indianapolis (D). see No. 29: Atlanta → Indianapolis.
No. 38: Indianapolis → Pittsburgh (D). Indianapolis traded this second-round selection (38th) to Pittsburgh in exchange for Pittsburgh's second- and fourth-round selections (44th and 107th). - ^ No. 40: Houston → Tennessee (D). see No. 27: Tennessee → Houston.
- ^ No. 41: Washington → Denver (PD). Washington traded its second-round selection (41st) and CB Champ Bailey to Denver in exchange for RB Clinton Portis.
- ^ No. 42: N.Y. Jets → Tennessee (PD). New York Jets traded its second-round selection (42nd) to Tennessee in exchange for WR Justin McCareins.
- ^ No. 43: Buffalo → Dallas (D). see No. 22: Dallas → Buffalo.
- ^ No. 44: Pittsburgh → Indianapolis (D). see No. 38: Indianapolis → Pittsburgh.
- ^ No. 45: Tampa Bay → Oakland (PD). Tampa Bay traded its first- and second-round selections (21st and 53rd) in 2002, first-round selection (32st) in 2003 and this second-round selection (45th) to Oakland as compensation for signing Raiders' head coach Jon Gruden.
- ^ No. 48: New Orleans → Minnesota (D). New Orleans traded its second-round selection (48th) to Minnesota in exchange for Minnesota's second- and fifth-round selections (60th and 151st).
- ^ No. 50: New Orleans → Minnesota (D). see No. 48: New Orleans → Minnesota.
- ^ No. 55: Green Bay → Jacksonville (D). Green Bay Packers traded its second-round selection (55th) to Jacksonville in exchange for Jacksonville's third- and fourth-round selections (70th and 102nd).
- ^ No. 56: multiple trades:
No. 56: Miami → New England (PD). Miami traded its second-round selection (56th) to New England in exchange for New England's third-round selection (78th) in 2003.
No. 56: New England → Cincinnati (PD). New England traded this second-round selection (56th) to Cincinnati in exchange for RB Corey Dillon. - ^ No. 58: Philadelphia → San Francisco (D). see No. 16: San Francisco → Philadelphia.
- ^ No. 59: Indianapolis → Cleveland (D). Indianapolis traded its second- and fifth-round selections (59th and 161st) to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's third-, fifth- and sixth-round selections (68th, 141st and 173rd).
- ^ No. 60: St. Louis → New Orleans (PD). St. Louis traded its second-round selection (60th) to New Orleans in exchange for OT Kyle Turley.
- Round three
- ^ No. 65: N.Y. Giants → San Diego (D). The New York Giants traded QB Philip Rivers, this third-round selection (65th) and first- and fifth-round selections (12th and 144th) in 2005 in exchange for QB Eli Manning.
- ^ No. 68: Cleveland → Indianapolis (D). see No. 59: Indianapolis → Cleveland.
- ^ No. 69: Atlanta → Indianapolis (D). see No. 29: Indianapolis → Atlanta.
- ^ No. 70: Jacksonville → Green Bay (D). see No. 55: Green Bay → Jacksonville.
- ^ No. 71: Houston → Tennessee (D). see No. 27: Tennessee → Houston.
- ^ No. 72: multiple trades:
No. 72: Washington → Jacksonville (PD). Washington traded its third-round selection (72nd) to Jacksonville in exchange for QB Mark Brunell.
No. 72: Jacksonville → Green Bay (D). Jacksonville traded this third-round selection (72nd) to Green Bay in exchange for Green Bay's third- and fourth-round selections (86th and 118th). - ^ No. 81: New Orleans → Washington (D). New Orleans traded its third- and fifth-round selections (81st and 151st) to Washington in exchange for Washington's fifth-round selection (139th) and second-round selection (40th) in 2005.
- ^ No. 82: Minnesota → Baltimore (D). Minnesota traded its third-round selection (82nd) to Baltimore in exchange for Baltimore's third- and fifth-round selections (88th and 155th).
- ^ No. 86: Green Bay → Jacksonville (D). see No. 72: Jacksonville → Green Bay.
- ^ No. 87: Miami → Green Bay (D). Miami traded its third-round selection (87th) to Green Bay in exchange for Green Bay's fourth- and fifth-round selections (102nd and 153rd).
- ^ No. 88: Baltimore → Minnesota (D). see No. 82: Minnesota → Baltimore.
- ^ No. 90: Indianapolis → Atlanta (D). see No. 29: Indianapolis → Atlanta.
- Round four
- ^ No. 102: multiple trades:
No. 102: Jacksonville → Green Bay (D). see No. 55: Green Bay → Jacksonville.
No. 102: Green Bay → Miami (D). see No. 87: Miami → Green Bay. - ^ No. 103: Houston → Tennessee (D). see No. 27: Tennessee → Houston.
- ^ No. 104: multiple trades:
No. 104: Washington → New England (PD). Washington traded its third-round selection (75th) in 2003 and this fourth-round selection (104th) to New England in exchange for New England's third- and fifth-round selections (81st and 140th) in 2003.
No. 104: New England → Chicago (PD). New England traded this fourth-round selection (104th) to Chicago in return for DT Ted Washington.
No. 104: Chicago → San Francisco (D). Chicago traded this fourth-round selection (104th) to San Francisco in exchange for San Francisco's fourth- and fifth-round selections (112nd and 147th). - ^ No. 105: Detroit → Kansas City (D). see No. 30: Kansas City → Detroit.
- ^ No. 107: Pittsburgh → Indianapolis (D). see No. 38: Indianapolis → Pittsburgh.
- ^ No. 112: San Francisco → Chicago (D). see No. 104: Chicago → San Francisco.
- ^ No. 113: New Orleans → New England (PD). New Orleans traded its third- and seventh-round selections (78th and 239th) in 2003 and this fourth-round selection (113th) to New England in exchange for S Tebucky Jones.
- ^ No. 117: Denver → Cincinnati (D). see No. 17: Cincinnati → Denver.
- ^ No. 118: Green Bay → Jacksonville (D). see No. 72: Jacksonville → Green Bay.
- ^ No. 119: Miami → Minnesota (D). see No. 19: Minnesota → Miami.
- ^ No. 120: Baltimore → Jacksonville (D). Baltimore traded its fourth-round selection (120th) to Jacksonville in exchange for WR Kevin Johnson.
- ^ No. 122: Indianapolis → Houston (PD). Indianapolis traded its fourth-round selection (122nd) to Houston in exchange for Houston's fifth-round selection (138th) in 2003.
- ^ No. 123: St. Louis → Cincinnati (D). see No. 24: Cincinnati → St. Louis.
- ^ No. 125: multiple trades:
No. 125: Philadelphia → Atlanta (PD). Philadelphia traded its sixth-round selection (202nd) in 2003 and its fourth-round selection (125th) to Atlanta in exchange for LB Mark Simoneau.
No. 125: Atlanta → Indianapolis (PD). see No. 29: Indianapolis → Atlanta. - ^ No. 127: Carolina → San Francisco (D). see No. 28: San Francisco → Carolina.
- Round five
- ^ No. 138: Houston → Tennessee (D). see No. 27: Tennessee → Houston.
- ^ No. 139: Washington → New Orleans (D). see No. 81: New Orleans → Washington.
- ^ No. 141: Cleveland → Indianapolis (D). see No. 59: Indianapolis → Cleveland.
- ^ No. 144: Buffalo → Dallas (D). see No. 22: Dallas → Buffalo.
- ^ No. 147: San Francisco → Chicago (D). see No. 104: Chicago → San Francisco.
- ^ No. 150: New Orleans → Jacksonville (PD). New Orleans traded its fifth-round selection (150th) to Jacksonville in exchange for CB Jason Craft.
- ^ No. 151: multiple trades:
No. 151: Minnesota → New Orleans (D). see No. 48: New Orleans → Minnesota.
No. 151: New Orleans → Washington (D). see No.81: New Orleans → Washington. - ^ No. 153: multiple trades:
No. 153: Green Bay → Miami (D). see No. 87: Miami → Green Bay.
No. 153: Miami → Baltimore (D). Miami traded this fifth-round selection (153rd) to Baltimore in exchange for Baltimore's fifth- and seventh-round selections (160th and 222nd). - ^ No. 154: Miami → San Diego (PD). Miami traded its fifth-round selection (154th) to San Diego in exchange for LB Junior Seau.
- ^ No. 155: Baltimore → Minnesota (D). see No. 82: Minnesota → Baltimore.
- ^ No. 156: Dallas → New Orleans (D). Dallas traded its fifth-round selection (156th) to New Orleans in exchange for Dallas' sixth- and seventh-round selections (182nd and 206th).
- ^ No. 159: multiple trades:
No. 159: Tennessee → Houston (D). see No. 27: Tennessee → Houston.
No. 159: Houston → Jacksonville (D). Houston traded this fifth-round selection (159th) to Jacksonville in exchange for Jacksonville's sixth- and seventh-round selections (175th and 210th). - ^ No. 160: multiple trades:
No. 160: Philadelphia → Baltimore (PD). Philadelphia traded its fifth-round selection to Baltimore in exchange for Baltimore giving up any potential rights it may have had to WR Terrell Owens.
No. 160: Baltimore → Miami (D). see No. 153: Miami → Baltimore. - ^ No. 161: Indianapolis → Cleveland (D). see No. 59: Indianapolis → Cleveland.
- ^ No. 162: Kansas City → Philadelphia (PD). Kansas City traded its fifth-round selection (162nd) and third-round selection (77th) in 2005 to Philadelphia in exchange for OT John Welbourn.
- ^ No. 173: Cleveland → Indianapolis (D). see No. 59: Indianapolis → Cleveland.
- Round six
- ^ No. 171: Washington → Denver (PD). Washington traded its sixth-round selection (171st) to Denver in exchange for DT Lional Dalton.
- ^ No. 174: Atlanta → Miami (D). Atlanta traded its sixth-round selection (174th) to Miami in exchange for Miami's sixth- and seventh-round selections (186th and 219th).
- ^ No. 175: Jacksonville → Houston (D). see No. 159: Houston → Jacksonville.
- ^ No. 176: Buffalo → Cleveland (PD). Buffalo traded its sixth-round selection (176th) to Cleveland in exchange for TE Mark Campbell.
- ^ No. 179: San Francisco → Green Bay (D). San Francisco traded its sixth-round selection (179th) to Green Bay in exchange for Green Bay's sixth- and seventh-round selections (188th and 226th).
- ^ No. 180: Chicago → Washington (PD). Chicago traded its sixth-round selection (176th) to Washington in exchange for FB Bryan Johnson.
- ^ No. 182: multiple trades:
No. 182: New Orleans → Dallas (D). see No. 156: Dallas → New Orleans.
No. 182: Dallas → Oakland (D). Dallas traded this sixth-round selection (182nd) to Oakland in exchange for Oakland's two seventh-round selections (205th and 223rd). - ^ No. 185: Green Bay → Philadelphia (PD). Green Bay traded its sixth-round selection (185th) to Philadelphia in exchange for Philadelphia's seventh-round selection in 2003.
- ^ No. 186: Miami → Atlanta (D). see No. 174: Atlanta → Miami.
- ^ No. 188: multiple trades:
No. 188: Dallas → Green Bay (D). Dallas traded its sixth-round selection (188th) to Green Bay in exchange for WR Terry Glenn.
No. 188: Green Bay → San Francisco (D). see No. 179: San Francisco → Green Bay. - ^ No. 194: St. Louis → Pittsburgh (PD). St. Louis traded its sixth-round selection (194th) to Pittsburgh in exchange for WR Troy Edwards.
- ^ No. 197: New England → Pittsburgh (PD). Pittsburgh were awarded New England's sixth-round selection (197th) as compensation for New England signing Pittsburgh's restricted free agent DE Rodney Bailey.
- Round seven
- ^ No. 205: Oakland → Dallas (D). see No. 182: Dallas → Oakland.
- ^ No. 206: multiple trades:
No. 206: Washington → New Orleans (PD). Washington traded its seventh-round selection (206th) to New Orleans in exchange for DT Martin Chase.
No. 206: New Orleans → Dallas (D). see No. 156: Dallas → New Orleans.
No. 206: Dallas → Tampa Bay (D) Dallas traded this seventh-round selection (206th) to Tampa Bay in exchange for FB Darian Barnes and Tampa Bay's seventh-round selection (216th). - ^ No. 207: Detroit → Buffalo (PD). Detroit traded its seventh-round selection (207th) to Buffalo in exchange for RB Olandis Gary.
- ^ No. 209: Atlanta → San Diego (PD). Atlanta traded its seventh-round selection (209th) to San Diego in exchange for WR Trevor Gaylor.
- ^ No. 210: Jacksonville → Houston (D). see No. 159: Houston → Jacksonville.
- ^ No. 216: Tampa Bay → Dallas (D). see No. 206: Dallas → Tampa Bay.
- ^ No. 219: multiple trades:
No. 219: New Orleans → Miami (PD). New Orleans traded its seventh-round selection (206th) to Miami in exchange for LB Derrick Rodgers.
No. 219: Miami → Atlanta (D). see No. 174: Atlanta → Miami. - ^ No. 222: Baltimore → Miami (D). see No. 153: Miami → Baltimore.
- ^ No. 223: multiple trades:
No. 223: Dallas → Oakland (PD). Dallas traded its seventh-round selection (223rd) to Dallas in exchange for DE Kenyon Coleman.
No. 223: Oakland → Dallas (D). see No. 182: Dallas → Oakland. - ^ No. 226: Green Bay → San Francisco (D). see No. 179: San Francisco → Green Bay.
- ^ No. 228: Indianapolis → Tampa Bay (PD). Indianapolis traded its seventh-round selection (228th) to Tampa Bay in exchange for S David Gibson.
- ^ No. 229: St. Louis → Indianapolis (PD). St. Louis traded its seventh-round selection (229th) to Indianapolis in exchange for S Rich Coady.
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Facts & Figures Archived May 19, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "NFL Draft Locations". FootballGeography.com. October 2, 2014. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ Salomone, Dan (October 2, 2014). "NFL Draft headed to Chicago in 2015". Giants.com. New York Giants. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ NFL gives 32 compensatory draft choices. March 29, 2004. URL Accessed June 24, 2006.
- ^ Breech, John (April 26, 2024). "2024 NFL Draft sets multiple records in first round: Historic night for QBs, plus the Raiders make a rare move". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Dave. "NFL draft scripted nicely by Manning". NBC Sports via AP. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
External links
[edit]- Football Outsiders – 2004 NFL Draft: Six Years Later (March 19, 2010)
Sources
[edit]- "NFL Draft History: 2004 Full Draft". Official NFL website. Archived from the original on October 30, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- "2004 NFL Draft". ESPN website. Archived from the original on October 1, 2004. Retrieved November 12, 2008.
- "Pro Football Draft History: 2004". Pro Football Hall of Fame website. Archived from the original on April 8, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- "2004 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- "2004 NFL Player Draft". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
2004 NFL draft
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The 2004 NFL Draft was the 69th annual player selection meeting held by National Football League (NFL) franchises to choose eligible college athletes.[1] It took place over two days, April 24–25, 2004, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New_York_City, and featured seven rounds with a total of 255 selections across all 32 teams.[2][3]
The draft is best remembered for its opening drama, as the San Diego Chargers selected quarterback Eli Manning from the University of Mississippi with the first overall pick, only for Manning to refuse to play for the team and force a trade to the New York Giants later that day.[4] In exchange, the Giants sent the Chargers their fourth overall pick—quarterback Philip Rivers from North Carolina State—along with a third-round pick in 2004, a first-round pick in 2005, and a fifth-round pick in 2005.[4] This blockbuster deal highlighted the high stakes of quarterback selections and set the tone for a draft rich in signal-callers and wide receivers.
Subsequent top picks included offensive tackle Robert Gallery from the University of Iowa, taken second overall by the Oakland Raiders to bolster their line.[1] The Arizona Cardinals followed at third with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald from the University of Pittsburgh, who went on to become one of the most prolific pass-catchers in NFL history.[1] Other notable first-round selections featured cornerback Dunta Robinson (tenth overall, Houston Texans), safety Sean Taylor (fifth overall, Washington Redskins), wide receiver Roy Williams (seventh overall, Dallas Cowboys), and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger from Miami University (Ohio), chosen 11th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[1] The class produced seven first-round wide receivers, tying a record at the time, and included six players from the University of Miami.[5]
This draft class had a profound long-term impact, yielding the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year (Ben Roethlisberger) and Defensive Rookie of the Year (Jonathan Vilma) in 2004.[6][7] Manning and Roethlisberger each led their teams to multiple Super Bowl victories, with Manning earning MVP honors in Super Bowl XLII and Roethlisberger in Super Bowl XL, while Fitzgerald amassed over 17,000 receiving yards in his career.[8] The 2004 draft is often ranked among the strongest of the early 2000s for its depth at premium positions, contributing significantly to championship runs for the Giants and Steelers. In December 2025, Philip Rivers—acquired by the Chargers in the blockbuster first-overall trade—signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad at age 44, five years after retiring, potentially becoming the last active player from this class.[9][10][11]
Note: Major positions; total selections across all positions: 255.
Overview
Dates and Location
The 2004 NFL Draft took place over two days, April 24 and 25, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[2] This venue had hosted the annual event continuously since 1995, marking a decade of drafts in the iconic New York location before the NFL shifted sites in subsequent years.[12] The first session on Saturday, April 24, covered the initial three rounds, beginning at 11 a.m. CT and extending approximately until 9 p.m. CT.[2] The following day, Sunday, April 25, featured the remaining four rounds, starting at 10 a.m. CT and concluding around 5 p.m. CT.[2] This two-day format allowed for a structured progression of selections, with a total of 255 picks across seven rounds, including 32 compensatory choices.[2] The theater accommodated up to 4,000 fans, with free tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 a.m. ET each day and doors opening at 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday and 10 a.m. ET on Sunday.[2] This setup facilitated direct fan interactions, enabling attendees to witness the proceedings live in an energetic atmosphere. Pre-draft ceremonies included the on-site presence of top prospects such as quarterbacks Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, who awaited their selections among the crowd.[2]Selection Order and Compensatory Picks
The selection order for the 2004 NFL Draft was determined primarily by the reverse order of team standings from the 2003 NFL season, with non-playoff teams ranked from worst to best record.[13] The San Diego Chargers earned the first overall pick after finishing 4-12, the league's worst record, tied with the Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants; among these, the Chargers received priority due to having the weakest strength of schedule.[14] Playoff teams followed in order of elimination round, beginning with wild-card losers, then divisional-round participants, conference championship losers, and ending with the Super Bowl loser (the Carolina Panthers).[13] Ties in records were broken first by strength of schedule, awarding the earlier pick to the team whose opponents had the lowest combined winning percentage (weaker schedule), followed by head-to-head results if needed.[14] This system ensured a structured allocation reflecting recent performance while accounting for competitive balance. In addition to the standard 223 picks across seven rounds (one per team per round, adjusted for prior forfeitures or trades), the NFL awarded 32 compensatory selections to 16 teams based on net free-agent losses from the prior offseason, as calculated under the collective bargaining agreement.[15] These extra picks, distributed in Rounds 3 through 7, aimed to offset disparities in unrestricted free-agent departures; for instance, the Green Bay Packers received one in the seventh round, while the Tennessee Titans were awarded three.[16][17] The total of 255 picks provided opportunities for broader roster building.[15] Trades executed during the draft could modify the initial order by exchanging picks between teams.[13]Pre-Draft Preparation
Eligibility Rules and Top Prospects
To be eligible for the 2004 NFL Draft, players were required to be at least three years removed from their high school graduation, a rule established in the NFL bylaws to ensure prospects had sufficient maturity and development time.[18] Underclassmen meeting this criterion could declare early for the draft, forgoing remaining college eligibility, though this was subject to league approval and often involved legal challenges, as seen in the case of Ohio State's Maurice Clarett, who unsuccessfully petitioned to enter despite not fulfilling the three-year requirement.[19] This eligibility framework aimed to balance player access with team evaluation needs, resulting in a pool of primarily seniors and juniors who had completed at least three seasons of college football.[20] The 2004 draft class was particularly notable for its depth at quarterback, with three elite signal-callers projected as top-10 selections: Eli Manning from Ole Miss, Philip Rivers from NC State, and Ben Roethlisberger from Miami (OH). Manning, standing 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, had a standout senior season in 2003, passing for 3,600 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading Ole Miss to a 10-3 record and an SEC West title, earning him third-place Heisman Trophy voting and consensus All-American honors.[21] Rivers, at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, showcased pinpoint accuracy in 2003 with 4,491 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and just four interceptions on 348-of-483 attempts, finishing seventh in Heisman voting and helping NC State to an 8-5 finish.[22] Roethlisberger, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound pocket passer, dominated the Mid-American Conference in 2003 with 4,486 yards and 38 touchdown passes on 289-of-402 attempts, guiding Miami (OH) to a 13-1 record and earning ninth in Heisman voting as well as MAC Offensive Player of the Year.[23] This quarterback group was widely regarded as one of the strongest in recent draft history, offering teams multiple franchise-caliber options.[24] Wide receivers represented another position of strength, headlined by Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound sophomore who declared early after a record-breaking 2003 campaign of 92 receptions for 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns—tops in the NCAA—en route to second-place Heisman voting and unanimous All-American status.[25] Texas' Roy Williams complemented the group with his physicality and speed, while the class also featured versatile talents like Texas' Cedric Benson at running back. In contrast, offensive tackles showed a top-heavy profile with Iowa's Robert Gallery as the consensus elite prospect—a 6-foot-7, 323-pound unanimous All-American who anchored Iowa's line during a 10-3 season—but limited depth beyond him, potentially forcing teams to address the position in later rounds.[26] Pre-draft scouting reports highlighted a projected top 10 blending these standouts with defensive gems, including Miami's Sean Taylor (safety, explosive hitter with 10 interceptions in 2003), Miami's Jonathan Vilma (linebacker, tackling machine with 114 tackles), and Ohio State's Chris Gamble (cornerback, versatile defender).[27][28] Gallery was praised for his rare athleticism, foot quickness, and ability to dominate pass protection in college, positioning him as a potential No. 2 overall pick.[29] Early buzz centered on Manning's reported reluctance to join the San Diego Chargers, who held the No. 1 pick; he expressed concerns about the organization's stability, influenced by discussions with his father Archie and insights from other NFL families, adding intrigue to the proceedings.[30]NFL Combine and Pro Days
The NFL Scouting Combine for the 2004 draft class took place from February 18 to 24 in Indianapolis, Indiana, serving as a centralized evaluation hub for approximately 300 prospects invited by the league.[31] The event featured comprehensive medical examinations to assess injury histories and physical conditions, formal interviews to gauge personality and football intelligence, and on-field workouts including the 40-yard dash, bench press repetitions at 225 pounds, vertical and broad jumps, agility drills, and position-specific exercises.[32] Each of the 32 teams was permitted up to 60 formal 15-minute interviews with prospects, allowing coaches and personnel to probe scheme fit, decision-making, and off-field traits through structured questioning and sometimes whiteboard simulations.[33] Physical testing highlighted athletic traits, with wide receiver Carlos Francis of Texas Tech recording the fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.31 seconds, while defensive tackle Tank Tyler of North Carolina State led the bench press with 42 repetitions.[34][35] Positional drills, such as quarterback throwing sessions and lineman blocking techniques, provided scouts with insights into functional skills; for instance, Miami (OH) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's workout demonstrated exceptional arm strength and velocity on deep throws, boosting his evaluation despite average speed metrics like a 4.75-second 40-yard dash.[36] Medical evaluations flagged potential concerns for some participants, including tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. of Miami (FL), whose prior knee wear from college play drew scrutiny during exams, though he still posted solid results like a 4.62-second 40-yard dash and 24 bench press reps.[37][38] Following the Combine, prospects hosted Pro Days at their college campuses to supplement evaluations, often focusing on drills skipped earlier or private workouts for targeted teams. These events allowed for more personalized assessments, with attendance by scouts and coaches from multiple franchises. For example, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, a top-ranked prospect entering the pre-draft process, conducted a throwing session at the Rebels' Pro Day that drew representatives from several teams interested in his accuracy and poise.[39] Strong Pro Day showings could elevate a prospect's stock, as seen with Roethlisberger's March 25 session at Miami (OH), where his arm talent further impressed evaluators and helped solidify his rise in rankings.[40] Conversely, underwhelming performances or lingering medical questions from the Combine could temper enthusiasm for others.Draft Event
Broadcast and Media Coverage
The 2004 NFL Draft marked a significant expansion in television coverage, with ESPN airing the first day live from noon to 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 24, followed by supplemental late-night coverage on ESPN2 until 10 p.m. ET. The second day, Sunday, April 25, featured ESPN from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET and ESPN2 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET, providing comprehensive live coverage of all seven rounds across both days.[41][2] ESPN's broadcast team was led by host Chris Berman, who anchored the coverage from the studio, while draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. offered in-depth prospect evaluations. Suzy Kolber served as host for the second day's proceedings on ESPN2, with on-site reporters including Chris Mortensen providing updates directly from Madison Square Garden in New York City.[42][43] Viewership for the first round on ESPN averaged approximately 4 million viewers, a 5 percent increase from 2003, while the full draft across both networks drew a cumulative audience exceeding 28 million viewers when accounting for all sessions.[41] Supplemental media included pre-draft analysis and highlights on the newly launched NFL Network, which began offering dedicated NFL programming in 2003. Radio coverage was available through Westwood One's NFL syndication network, featuring play-by-play and commentary on affiliate stations nationwide. International audiences could access the event via NFL's global broadcast partners, including feeds in Europe and Asia.[44] The telecast incorporated innovations such as real-time trade notifications and integrated player video profiles, allowing viewers to see highlight reels and interviews during downtime between selections.[45]First Round Proceedings
The first round of the 2004 NFL Draft began at 12:00 p.m. ET on April 24, 2004, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue stepping to the podium to announce the selections.[2] The event unfolded amid high anticipation, influenced briefly by pre-draft hype surrounding top quarterback prospects, setting expectations for a dramatic opening. The San Diego Chargers opened the proceedings by selecting Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning with the first overall pick, but Manning had previously expressed unwillingness to play for the team, creating immediate tension as he reluctantly donned a Chargers hat and jersey on stage.[46] The New York crowd responded with loud boos, reflecting the local disdain for the selection, while Manning's family, including father Archie who had advised against the Chargers due to concerns over team stability, endured awkward moments in the green room.[47] Following quick selections of offensive tackle Robert Gallery by the Oakland Raiders at No. 2 and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3, the New York Giants used the fourth pick on NC State quarterback Philip Rivers, prompting further deliberation.[1] Shortly thereafter, Tagliabue announced a blockbuster trade: the Giants acquired Manning in exchange for Rivers, a 2004 third-round pick, and 2005 first- and fifth-round picks, resolving the standoff after approximately an hour of behind-the-scenes negotiations involving Archie Manning.[48] The crowd erupted in cheers upon the reveal, transforming the atmosphere from frustration to jubilation, particularly as it benefited the hometown Giants, with similar enthusiasm building for upcoming Jets selections later in the round. Manning's on-stage walk to join the Giants symbolized a family triumph, though the episode highlighted rare player leverage in draft proceedings.[49] The round continued with notable surprises and interruptions, including the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Miami (OH) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at No. 11, a pick that stunned observers as he had been projected higher amid the quarterback frenzy.[50] A record 28 trades marked the first round, contributing to delays exceeding 30 minutes for several picks as teams haggled over assets and strategies. These pauses heightened the event's tension, with Tagliabue occasionally filling time amid the bustling Madison Square Garden crowd, whose reactions amplified the electric vibe for New York-area teams. The 32 selections wrapped up after about four hours, capping a proceedings filled with emotional highs, strategic maneuvering, and indelible drama.Player Selections
Overall Draft Class Statistics
The 2004 NFL Draft consisted of 255 total selections distributed across seven rounds among the league's 32 teams, including 32 compensatory picks awarded to 16 clubs based on net losses of unrestricted free agents in the previous season.[2] This marked the third draft conducted with the full complement of 32 teams following the Houston Texans' expansion entry and divisional realignment that took effect for the 2002 season. The selection process reflected the league's standard format, with teams varying in their allocation of picks due to trades and compensatory awards, averaging approximately eight picks per team. Positional distributions highlighted the draft's emphasis on certain areas of need, particularly in the secondary and skill positions. Defensive backs led with 48 selections, underscoring a deep class at that position, followed by 32 wide receivers and 28 linebackers. Offensive linemen accounted for 28 picks (including 26 tackles), while defensive linemen totaled 46 across ends and tackles. The draft also featured notable depth at quarterback, with 17 signal-callers selected overall, including seven in the first three rounds—a figure that exceeded recent years and contributed to the class's reputation for QB talent.[51] Ohio State set a draft record with 14 players selected, while the University of Miami contributed six players, all in the first round. Team pick totals varied significantly, influenced by trades and compensatory allocations. The Philadelphia Eagles received the most with 12 selections, bolstered by four compensatory picks, while the San Diego Chargers had 10 and the Tennessee Titans 13—the highest of any team. Other clubs, such as the New York Jets and St. Louis Rams, also benefited from multiple compensatory awards, leading to imbalances in draft capital that affected roster-building strategies across the league.[5][52] In terms of diversity, approximately 41 underclassmen declared early eligibility for the draft, forgoing remaining college seasons to enter the professional ranks—a number that could have reached 50 pending a related court ruling on junior eligibility rules. No international players were selected, as formal NFL programs for scouting and developing talent from outside the United States, such as the International Player Pathway, did not begin until later in the decade.[53][54]| Position | Number Selected |
|---|---|
| Quarterbacks | 17 |
| Wide Receivers | 32 |
| Linebackers | 28 |
| Defensive Backs | 48 |
| Offensive Linemen | 28 |
| Running Backs | 14 |
| Tight Ends | 16 |
| Defensive Linemen | 46 |
| Special Teams (K/P) | 3 |