25 most sought after NFL quarterback draft prospects of all time

While being drafted is inevitably a major goal of players hoping to forge a professional career in the NFL, the design of the system also limits where an athlete might get to ply his trade. At most, a top draft pick can refuse to sign with the team that drafts him in hopes of forcing a trade to a more preferable destination.

That is exactly what happened in 2004, as Eli Manning was a pick sought by plenty of franchises around the country. San Diego held the rights to negotiate with the younger Manning brother, and Eli had no intention of heading to sunny southern California to compete in the AFC West.

Thus, the Chargers sought trade partners ahead of the draft with whom they could maximize the value of a talent like Manning. Setting up a deal with the New York Giants, San Diego drafted Manning No. 1 overall — setting up a few uncomfortable moments at the draft, as he took his first pictures bedecked in Chargers blue.

Selecting No. 4 overall, the Giants took Philip Rivers from NC State. The two quarterbacks were swapped, and San Diego also received a third-round draft pick in 2004 that was used to select kicker Nate Kaeding, as well as first and fifth-round picks in 2005 that turned into linebacker Shawne Merriman and considerations.

Manning would go on to win two Super Bowls with New York, matching his older brother Peyton in NFL title victories. Eli has thrown for more than 55,000 yards and 360 touchdowns over 15 years in the league. Still a Giant entering the 2019 NFL season, the 37-year-old has been a mainstay in the Meadowlands for his entire NFL career.