Over the next couple weeks, we’ll evaluate the best and worst top 10 picks in a 10-year span from 1999-2008. We capped this at 2008 because it’s unfair to judge first- or second-year players. Today, the pick four success.
NFL Draft successes and busts 10-year evaluation: 4th overall success
Pick: Four overall
The player: Philip Rivers | Quarterback | San Diego (2004)
There were three premier quarterbacks heading into the 2004 NFL Draft. There was the big-name, bloodlines-rich Eli Manning. The side-arm Southern stat stuffer Philip Rivers. Then there was the physical specimen of the Mid-American Conference Ben Roethlisberger.
There never seemed to be a consensus on which one was the best. There still isn’t a consensus there. Manning and Roethlisberger have the rings. Rivers has the monster stats.
For the purposes of this discussion, Rivers is easily the top No. 4 overall pick between 1999 and 2008. He currently holds the title of best active quarterback without a
Super Bowl
title. Although he’s always been surrounded by talent, Rivers has the pure ability and heart to be a star no matter his surroundings.
Now all he has to do is start winning big games. Then he might be considered not only better than his 2004 classmates, but maybe the best quarterback in the
NFL
.
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