Manning looks like No. 1

Eli Manning, Larry Fitzgerald and Ben Roethlisberger look like the top three picks in the 2004 NFL draft.

Originally Published: January 21, 2004

By Mel Kiper Jr. | Special to ESPN Insider

MOCK DRAFT: Kiper's initial first-round projection | Jan. 21

Editor's Note: ESPN.com draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. offers his initial first-round projection for the 2004 NFL draft.

It's Senior Bowl week, and the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft has passed, so it's time to make my initial first-round projection for the 2004 NFL draft. I currently see three skill-position players at the top of the draft, while underclassmen (*) account for 16 of the 32 picks. Here's my initial forecast:

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider