The Draft of the Decade. written by Ben Hoyt
 
The 2004 NFL Draft is arguably the greatest draft class in the last decade.  It has been four and a half years since the draft, and the 2004 draft class has changed the NFL into a top notch league. There are many stars in the league today, but rarely have so many come out of a single draft class. No other draft class in the past several years even comes close. This class is full of depth from offense to defense. It produced probably the best quarterbacks since the 1983 draft, when hall fame players like John Elway, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelley were drafted. In the class there are many big-name superstars, Pro Bowlers, award winners, and Super Bowl champions. The 2004 draft class is full of outstanding and future hall of fame players. Here are some players that make this class one of the best draft classes of the last decade:
 
(Statistics as of October 28, 2008)
 
Round 1

#1 - QB Eli Manning (Mississippi) - San Diego Chargers

Current Team: New York Giants. Eli Manning was the number one pick in the draft by the Chargers, and was later traded on draft day to the Giants for Philip Rivers. In his first three seasons, he did not perform as expected and had some rough games. But then last season in 2007, Manning finally became what everyone expected and helped guide the Giants to a Super Bowl title. Career Stats: Has thrown for 12,973 yards with 86 touchdowns and 68 interceptions.

#3 - WR Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh) - Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald is one of the most talented wide receivers currently in the NFL.  Fitzgerald is a 2-time Pro Bowler with lightning fast speed and great hands. Career Stats: Has 330 receptions for 4,544 yards and 34 touchdowns.

#4 - QB Philip Rivers (North Carolina State)  - New York Giants

Current Team: San Diego Chargers. Philip Rivers has been successful since becoming a starter in 2006. Rivers was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2006 and has taken the Chargers to the playoffs in back-to-back years (2006 & 2007). Career Stats: Has thrown for 8,726 yards with 63 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

#5 - FS Sean Taylor (Miami, FL) - Washington Redskins

Sean Taylor had great talent and could have been one of the best safeties to ever play in the NFL. Taylor’s career was tragically cut short when he was murdered in November 2007, at the age of 24. Taylor was a 2-time Pro Bowler in his 3.5 seasons in the NFL. Career Stats: Had 299 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 12 interceptions.

#6 - TE Kellen Winslow (Miami, FL) - Cleveland Browns

Kellen Winslow’s career started off with injury after injury. He broke his leg in his rookie season, and the next season he got into a motorcycle accident where he tore his ACL. Winslow has become a great tight end like the Browns expected in the last couple seasons. Winslow was named to the Pro Bowl in 2007.
Career Stats: Has 197 receptions for 2,218 yards and 9 touchdowns.

#7 - WR Roy Williams (Texas) - Detroit Lions

Current Team: Dallas Cowboys. Roy Williams is one of the league’s best playmakers. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2006. He was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in October 2008 for 3 draft picks. Career Stats: Has 264 receptions for 3,894 yards and 30 touchdowns.

#8 - CB DeAngelo Hall (Virginia Tech) - Atlanta Falcons

Current Team: Oakland Raiders. DeAngelo Hall is a very talented cornerback with good playmaking ability. Hall is a 2-time Pro-Bowler and is arguably one of league’s the best defenders. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders in March 2008 for 2 draft picks. Career Stats: Has 268 total tackles, one sack, and 20 interceptions.

#11 - QB Ben Roethlisberger (Miami, OH) - Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger started his great young career by being named Rookie of the Year. The next season in 2006, Roethlisberger helped guide the Steelers to a Super Bowl title. He was named to the Pro Bowl last season in 2007. Career Stats: Has thrown for 13,025 yards, 94 touchdowns and 61 interceptions.

#13 - WR Lee Evans (Wisconsin) - Buffalo Bills

Lee Evans is a great threat in the Bills offense, with great playmaking ability that can strike at any moment in a game. He is one of the league’s top wide receivers and will probably be named to several Pro Bowls in his career. Career Stats: Has 264 receptions for 4,364 yards and 32 touchdowns.

 

#14 - DT Tommie Harris (Oklahoma) - Chicago Bears

Tommie Harris is one of the league’s dominating defensive players. He has the ability to cause problems for the other team, especially in the backfield with his great playmaking ability. Career Stats: Has 145 total tackles and 20.5 sacks.

#16 - OT Shawn Andrews (Arkansas) - Philadelphia Eagles

Shaun Andrews is one of the league’s top offensive guards. He has helped the Eagles become one of the best rushing offenses in the league. Andrews is a 2-time Pro Bowler (2006 & 2007).
         
#18 - DE Will Smith (Ohio State) - New Orleans Saints

Will Smith is one of the most dominating defensive ends in the league. He has great on-field presence with great speed and is an amazing defensive playmaker. Smith was named to the Pro Bowl in 2006. Career Stats: Has 238 total tackles and 35.5 sacks and one safety.

#21 - NT Vince Wilfork (Miami, FL) - New England Patriots

Vince Wilfork is one of the great run stuffers in the NFL. He is a tough tackle that can disrupt the flow in the backfield of the other team. Wilfork won a Super Bowl in 2005 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2007. Career Stats: Has 219 total tackles and 5.5 sacks.

# 24 - RB Steven Jackson (Oregon State) - St. Louis Rams

Steven Jackson is a hard-working and tough running back with excellent speed. Although the Rams have not been as good since drafting him, Jackson has been a huge spark in Rams offense. 
Career Stats: Has 1,092 carries for 4,757 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Round 2

#43 - RB Julius Jones (Notre Dame) - Dallas Cowboys

Current Team: Seattle Seahawks.  Julius Jones was another running back that kind of lived up to the second-round draft pick expectations. He had some decent seasons with the Cowboys, but in 2007 his carries were split with running back Marion Barber which basically forced him out of Dallas. He signed with the Seahawks as a free agent in March 2008. Career Stats: Has 988 carries for 3,952 yards and 20 touchdowns.

#44 - DB Bob Sanders (Iowa) - Indianapolis Colts

Bob Sanders is by far the greatest defensive player in the NFL. He is a tough, hard-hitting defender with excellent defensive abilities. He won a Super Bowl title in 2006. Sanders was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and is a 2-time Pro Bowler. Career Stats: Has 261 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions.

Round 3

#78 - WR Bernard Berrian (Fresno State) - Chicago Bears

Current Team: Minnesota Vikings. Bernard Berrian is good wide receiver that is becoming a great playmaker in the league. He is a number one type receiver with great speed. He signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent in 2008. Career Stats: Has 178 receptions for 2,714 yards and 16 touchdowns.

#81 - TE Chris Cooley (Utah State) - Washington Redskins

Chris Cooley is one of the top, most dominant tight ends in the league. He is a tough player with great hands and excellent playmaking ability. Cooley was named to the Pro Bowl last season in 2007. He also probably has the best hair in the league. Career Stats: Has 271 receptions for 3,059 yards and 28 touchdowns.

#90 - QB Matt Schaub - (Virginia) - Atlanta Falcons

Current Team: Houston Texans. Matt Schaub hasn’t really lived up to the expectations, but has been improving nicely since becoming a starter. He backed up current inmate Michael Vick before being traded to the Texans for two draft picks. Career Stats: Has thrown for 4,897 yards with 25 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

Round 4

#108 - WR Jerricho Cotchery (N.Carolina State) - New York Jets

Jerricho Cotchery is good productive wide receiver with excellent hands and awareness on the field. He is not a number one receiver, but is still a threat to defenses. He also has one of the best names in the NFL. Career Stats: Has 225 receptions for 2,832 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 

#126 - DE Jared Allen (Idaho State) - Kansas City Chiefs

Current Team: Minnesota Vikings. Jared Allen is one of the best pass rushers in the league. His speed and toughness can disrupt any offense in the league. He was traded to the Vikings in April 2008 for 3 draft picks. Allen was named to the Pro Bowl last season in 2007. Career Stats: Has 249 total tackles, 48 sacks, and one interception.

Round 5

#136 - SS Gibril Wilson (Tennessee) - New York Giants

Current Team: Oakland Raiders. Gibril Wilson is a tough, hard-hitting safety and is one of the better defenders in the league. He has excellent ball skills and is a great defensive playmaker. He won a Super Bowl title with the Giants last season in 2008. Career Stats: Has 421 total tackles, 6 sacks, and 12 interceptions.

#154 - RB Michael Turner (Northern Illinois) - San Diego Chargers

Current Team: Atlanta Falcons. Michael Turner is a good, tough running back with great speed. He was the back up for LaDainian Tomlinson before signing as a free agent with the Falcons in March 2008.
Career Stats: Has 373 carries for 1,912 yards and 12 touchdowns.  
  
Round 7

#226 - WR Patrick Crayton (Northwestern Oklahoma State) - Dallas Cowboys

Patrick Crayton is a good playmaking wide receiver. He is not a number one receiver, but is still a threat to defenses because of his good speed and hands. Career Stats: Has 143 receptions for 2,050 yards and 16 touchdowns.