San Diego Chargers 2004 Draft
Round 1 (#1): Eli Manning, QB, Ole Miss
Round 2 (#35): Igor Olshansky, DT, Oregon
Round 3 (#65): Nate Kaeding, K, Iowa
Round 3 (#66): Nick Hardwick, C, Purdue
Round 4 (#98): Shaun Phillips, DE, Purdue
Round 5 (#133): Dave Ball, DE, UCLA
Round 5 (#154): Michael Turner, RB, Northern Illinois
Round 6 (#169): Ryan Krause, WR, Nebraska-Omaha
Round 7 (#204): Ryon Bingham, DT, Nebraska
Round 7 (#209): Shane Olivea, OT, Ohio State
Round 7 (#254): Carlos Joseph, OT, Miami
Draft King Analysis
Hats off to A.J. Smith and the Chargers organization for making a gutsy move in the face of a nightmare of a PR situation. By drafting Manning, and subsequently trading him to the Giants for Phil Rivers, the Chargers received a huge payout of picks (including the Giants' 2005 first rounder) as well as the QB that they most wanted to have besides Manning. Nick Kaeding in Round 3 might look high on the surface, but consider that the Chargers have not had stability in their kicking game since John Carney played for them. Michael Turner was a steal at #154 and will provide excellent insurance behind LaDainian Tomlinson. Olshansky, Phillips and Ball all will help improve the porous San Diego d-line, while Nick Hardwick (#66) might be in the starting lineup before year's end.
The only thing missing out of this draft is an offensive tackle (and I wonder why the Chargers passed on Max Starks at the #65/66 spots). But that aside, the Chargers came away from this draft as a much stronger team, one that can build for the future with hope (especially with two first round picks next year).
2004 NFL Draft Analysis
| |
|
