2004 NFL Draft 1st Rd. QB Comps: Should Johnny Manziel Sit This Year?
Jun 18, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) answers questions from media during New York Giants mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
2004 NFL Draft
| Started as Rookie? | Year One | First 3 Years | Career | |
| Yes | Grade | C | B | A |
Eli started his career backing up Kurt Warner. Warner started most the year but gave way to Manning who struggled with turnovers during his time on the field. Since his rookie season Manning has played in all 16 games for the past 9 years. He led the Giants to 2 Super Bowls, 2008 and 2012, winning the MVP of the game both times. Statistically his career has had ups and downs but his consistency has made him a Franchise QB. Coming out of this draft where 2 other guys also have led their franchises well Manning still sits atop the group.
| Started as Rookie? | Year One | First 3 Years | Career | |
| No | Grade | N/A | B | A |
Rivers didn’t start until his third season due to the presence of Drew Brees. His first season starting was stellar and his career with the Chargers, though he hasn’t won a Super Bowl like the other two is his class, has been stellar. Since starting he has never had more INTs then TDs and only had one season of 20 INTs. He takes good care of the ball and has had five 4,000 yard passing years in his past 6 seasons. He has never been much of a runner, never rushing for more then 100 yards in a season, but uses his feet well in the pocket.
| Started as Rookie? | Year One | First 3 Years | Career | |
| Yes | Grade | B | B | A |
A terrible reminder to Browns fans that in state Big Ben was available to them at #7 in this draft but instead the Browns traded a second round pick to move up 1 spot to select Kellen Winslow II. Roethlisberger went #11 to the Steelers and the rest is history. During his rookie season Ben played in 14 games throwing for over 2,500 yards with 17 TDs and 11 INTs. His career has been marked by some injury issues, as well as off the field stuff, but leading your team to an undefeated record during your rookie regular season and 2 Super Bowl Championships means you are the franchise guy. Age, injuries and some of the off the field stuff could lead to a divorce in the next couple years but Big Ben has been the Franchise Guy in Pittsburgh.
| Started as Rookie? | Year One | First 3 Years | Career | |
| No | Grade | N/A | D | F |
The lost member of the 2004 1st Round QB class is Losman. He didn’t start in any games during his rookie season, seeing a little field time behind Drew Bledsoe. The Bills were a combination excited about Losman and fed up with Bledsoe that they released the veteran and turned the team over to J.P. the next year. By the middle of the season the Bills had lost confidence in Losman and benched him for an old Browns favorite, Kelly Holcomb. Due to injury and ineffective play the two shared duties throughout the rest of that season. 2006 was Losman’s best year and only time he started a full 16 games. He threw for over 3,000 yards with 19 TDs and 14 INTs. The following season an injury, and the drafting of Trent Edwards, were Losman’s downfalls and he never caught on again. He in a total of 8 games his last 3 season, his last with Miami in 2011.