Philip Rivers has un-retired at 44 to take a spot on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad. It should only be a matter of time before he joins the active roster and tries to save the season for a team that is 8-5 and has lost three in a row. Decades ago, the NC State star was drafted fourth overall in 2004 by the New York Giants, yes, the New York Giants. He was then dealt to the San Diego Chargers, who had chosen Eli Manning first overall. The Ole Miss QB wanted no part of San Diego so the deal was made. How did the first-round picks in 2004 grade out in their NFL careers?
32. Ben Watson, New England Patriots
New England Patriots tight end Ben Watson manages to hold on to a pass for a first down.
The tight end from Georgia had a solid career and was a clubhouse leader wherever he went. Watson made 547 catches for 6,058 yards playing for four teams. Grade: B
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31. Rashaun Woods, San Francisco 49ers
Wide receiver Rashaun Woods of the San Francisco 49ers.
No way to put it other than a total bust. Played in 2004, made seven catches and that was that. Grade: F
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Brian Williams tackles Detroit Lions running back Kevin Jones.
The Virginia Tech RB made a splashy debut with 1,133 rushing yards as a rookie. Unfortunately, that was his best season en route to a career total of 3,176 yards on the ground. He did scored 24 TDs for the Lions on the ground. Grade: C
29. Michael Jenkins, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Michael Jenkins runs after a catch against the New Orleans Saints.
The Ohio State wideout did okay for himself with the Falcons over seven seasons. He caught 354 passes with the most being 53 in 2007. He filled the bill as a solid option, not great, not terrible. He finished the career with two seasons as a Viking. Grade: C
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Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez runs with the ball against Carolina Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble.
The Panthers had success with the pick. Gamble spent his entire nine-year career in the Carolina secondary. He had 27 interceptions and was a frequent starter. Solid job getting him at 28. Grade: B
27. Jason Babin, Houston Texan
Dallas Cowboys running back Julius Jones runs into the hole against Houston Texans defensive end Jason Babin.
The defensive lineman from Western Michigan had a long NFL career. He played 12 seasons, including three with the Texans. Babin played for nine teams! Grade: B-
26. Chris Perry, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chris Perry carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys.
Perry’s career was hampered by leg and kneee injuries. His best season was not that great, rushing for 279 yards in 2005. Grade: F
25. Ahmad Carroll, Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Nate Burleson makes the catch out of bounds over Green Bay Packers cornerback Ahmad Carroll.
Nothing special here. He played in 57 games over five seasons wth three picks. The DB from Arkansas spent two-plus seasons with the Packers. Grade: C-
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24. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Oregon State RB had a tremendous NFL career. Great choice at 24 by the Rams. He rushed for 11,438 yards. Grade: A+
23. Marcus Tubbs, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs celebrates a Dallas Cowboys missed field goal in the fourth quarter at Qwest Field.
Three seasons, 29 games. His best was 2005 with 5.5 sacks. The DT from Texas didn’t exactly thrive in the NFL. Grade: D
Buffalo Bills quarterback (7) J.P. Losman has the ball knocked loose against the Miami Dolphins.
The QB from Tulane was a bust for Buffalo. Grade: D
21. Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots
Patriot defender Vince Wilfork forces a fumble by Houston quarterback Matt Schaub.
The big defensive lineman from Miami had a wonderful career. He played 11 seasons with the Patriots and two with the Texans. A big part of the New England defense in its dynasty years. Grade: A
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20. Kenechi Udeze, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Kenechi Udeze celebrates his sack in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Metrodome.
Four seasons with the Vikings and Udeze’s NFL career was shortenedwhen he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He tried to make a comeback but the chemo treatment affect his ability to plant his feet. Grade: Incomplete
19. Vernon Carey, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins tackle Vernon Carey blocks during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The offensive tackle played seven seasons after going from the Hurricanes to the Fish. He was a constant presence on the Dolphins’ offensive line, starting 107 games, all of which came after starting twice as a rookie. Grade: B-
18. Will Smith, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
The defensive end played nine seasons with the Saints before he was tragically murdered in 2012. He led the NFL with six forced fumbles as a rookie Grade: B
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17. D.J. Williams, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos outside linebacker D.J. Williams during the first quarter against the Oakland Raiders.
The LB from Miami spent nine years with the Broncos before closing his career with two in Chicago. He was a constant presence and starter in the Denver secondary. Grade: B-
16. Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia Eagles
Shawn Andrews of the Philadelphia Eagles awaits the snap against the Green Bay Packers.
The big offensive lineman from Arkansas saw his career severely impacted by a back injury. Lingering pain forced his retirement in 2010 when he was a New York Giant. Grade: B
15. Michael Clayton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Michael Clayton.
A wideout from LSU, Clayton had his best season as a rookie when he made 80 of his 223 career receptions. After that, things got fairly ordinary. He also had 7 of his career 10 TD catches as a rookie. Grade: C
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14. Tommie Harris, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris reacts after pressuring Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner.
The DT from Oklahoma clogged the middle for the Bears. He had 31.5 sacks in an eight-year career, seven played in Chicago. Nice pick who delivered a lot of play. Grade: B
13. Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Lee Evans catches a pass and goes to the 8-yard line against the Minnesota Vikings.
As bad as the pick of J.P. Losman worked out for the Bills was as good as this one turned out. Evans made 377 catches in seven seasons with Buffalo. He had 43 TD grabs. The Wisconsin wide receiver was a lead receiver and a good one. Grade: B+
12. Jonathan Vilma, New York Jets
New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma during the game against the Raiders.
The LB from Miami spent more time with Saints than the Jets in a 10-year career. Grade: C
11. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger warms up.
The quarterback from Miami of Ohio had a stellar career with the Steelers. He was a Super Bowl winner and threw for more than 64,000 yards and 418 touchdowns. Grade: A+
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Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson reacts during the second quarter of the NFC Championship Game.
Robinson played college ball at South Carolina. He spent six seasons with the Texans then moved on to the Falcons and Chiefs. Overall, 17 interceptions, six coming as a rookie. Grade: C+
9. Reggie Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Reggie Williams reacts after having his helmet knocked off while scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field.
The wideout did not deliver anything close to being a top 10 pick. Grade: C-
8. DeAngelo Hall, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall intercepts a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson.
Had years when he was one of the best DBs in the league. Hall, who played college ball at Virginia Tech, had a long and strong 14-year career. Grade: A
7. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams during the Detroit Lions afternoon training camp session.
A wide receiver from Texas was a Lion for five seasons before bolting to Dallas. He had 262 catches in Detroit and never became the superstar many expected. Grade: C
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6. Kellen Winslow II, Cleveland Browns
Tight end Kellen Winslow of the Cleveland Browns evades linebacker Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers.
Another in a long line of disastrous picks by the Browns. Winslow is currently in prison. Grade: F
5. Sean Taylor, Washington
Nov 27, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; A view of a memorial honoring the 15th year of former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s passing prior to the Commanders’ game against the Atlanta Falcons at FedExField.
The DB from Miami was senselessly murdered when in the process of producing a Hall of Fame career. His legacy grows greater by the day. Grade: A+
4. Philip Rivers, New York Giants
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is sacked by Oakland Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell.
Threw for 63,000-plus yards and 421 touchdowns in an impressive career. Is he a Hall of Famer? Seems unlikely with zero Super Bowl wins. Grade: A
3. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner keeps Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald from making a catch. Nfl San Francisco 49ers At Arizona Cardinals
A surefire Hall of Famer. One of the best wideouts in NFL history. Grade: A+
2. Robert Gallery, Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders lineman Robert Gallery during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
The big lineman stuck for seven seasons with the Raiders and played one with Seattle. Expectations probably were unrealistic with such a high pick. Grade: C
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1. Eli Manning, San Diego Chargers
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning throws the ball against the San Francisco 49ers.
Eli Manning won two Super Bowls as Giants quarterback. He defeated Tom Brady in both yet people want to diminish his credentials as a Hall of Fame candidate. How many NFL franchises would do anything to have a franchise quarterback lead them to two Super Bowl wins? End of debate. Grade: A-
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Looking back at 2004 NFL draft that produced Philip Rivers