Two months ago the 2004 NFL Draft was considered by many to be loaded with first-round potential at the wide receiver position.
While that statement has not changed, it is the players throwing the balls to these receivers that have become the hot commodities.
The quarterback position has always been a point of emphasis for teams with the early picks, but the achievements of late-round and undrafted players — like Tom Brady (6th round), Jake Delhomme (undrafted), and Marc Bulger (6th round) — have overshadowed the need for taking a quarterback high in the draft.
Despite the success by these low-round draft choices, NFL teams are not wavering from the notion of taking a quarterback in the first round.
In the past six drafts, a quarterback has been taken No. 1 overall five times, and according to Scouting Bureau’s director of scouting, John Murphy, this year will be no different.
Murphy believes the best choice at the quarterback position is Eli Manning from Ole Miss.
“Consistency, experience and pedigree make him the best and safest choice,” Murphy said. “If San Diego stays at No. 1, [Manning] will be their pick.”
As a senior in 2003, Manning threw for 3,342 yards and 27 touchdowns, while leading the Rebels to a 10-3 record.
The second highest rated quarterback, according to Murphy, is Ben Roethlisberger from Miami, Ohio.
“You got to love his physical tools,” Murphy said. “He threw 30 touchdowns against just three interceptions during his final 10 college games.”
If the New York Giants do not make a strong play to trade up and select Manning with the first overall pick, look for them to consider Roethlisberger as the man for the future with the fourth pick.
Next on Murphy’s quarterback list is N.C. State’s Philip Rivers.
In 2003, Rivers led the Wolfpack to an 8-5 record, while completing 72 percent of his passes for 4,491 yards and 34 touchdowns.
“[Rivers is a] mature, great leader,” Murphy said. “He could step in and take a lead role right away with a team.”
As the third rated quarterback on most draft boards, Cleveland (No. 7 pick), Pittsburgh (No. 11 pick), and Green Bay (No. 25 pick) are the most likely to call Rivers’ number on Saturday.
Heading into the second and third rounds, teams will still have plenty of worthy quarterbacks to pick from.
J.P. Losman from Tulane may be selected anywhere from the end of the first round to the early second round, Murphy said.
“[Losman has] great physical tools,” Murphy said. “He still has room to improve, especially with his accuracy. [Losman] might have more upside than anyone at this position.”
If Rivers does not fall to Green Bay at No. 25, do not be surprised if Losman becomes the second Tulane quarterback in the past three years to be taken in the first round.
After Losman, the quarterback talent tails off, Murphy said.
Murphy said if the Giants do not get a quarterback in the first round, then Matt Schaub from Virginia may be their man in the third round.
“[Schaub] is a blue-collar guy,” Murphy said. “He does not standout in any one category but is average or above average in most categories.”
Following Schaub is Josh Harris from Bowling Green, John Navarre from Michigan, Luke McCown from Louisiana Tech, Cody Picket from Washington and Matt Mauck from LSU, Murphy said.
Murphy said Mauck can be drafted anywhere between the fourth and sixth rounds.
“[Mauck has] very good intangibles,” Murphy said. “He has a quick release, good toughness and leadership. He is a little bit older prospect, but needs to prove to teams that he really has the hunger, desire to play professionally.”
Murphy said San Diego, Buffalo, Oakland, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, New York Giants, San Francisco, Kansas City, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Tennessee are all teams that can use a quarterback in the draft.