Ranking the Top Players from the 2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft wasn’t just good—it was legendary. You had three franchise quarterbacks, ranking it one of the top 3 QB draft classes of all-time. Pro Bowlers all over the board, and one of the wildest trades in draft history:
Eli Manning refusing to play for the Chargers and getting flipped to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers. Boom! That move alone set the tone for a decade of football fireworks.
From Larry Fitzgerald’s crisp routes to Ben Roethlisberger bulldozing defenders like a tight end in a QB’s jersey, this class brought the toughness, the talent, and the titles. We’re breaking it down, who hit hardest, who showed up big, and who just flat-out played football the right way.
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Let’s rank the top 10 players from the 2004 NFL Draft—no fluff, just football.
#10: Jonathan Vilma
Linebacker | 6’1″, 230 lbs
Drafted: 12th overall by the New York Jets
Teams: New York Jets (2004-2007), New Orleans Saints (2008 – 2013)
Jonathan Vilma was the kind of linebacker who saw the play before it even happened. He was quick, disciplined, and always in position exactly what you want calling the shots in the middle of your defense.
He made his mark early, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, and later became the defensive captain of the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl team, flying all over the field during that magical run. When you talk about smart, hard-nosed football guys, Vilma’s name better be in the mix.
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Accolades:
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Super Bowl XLIV Champion
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3× Pro Bowler (2005, 2009, 2010)
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2004 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year
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2× NFL tackles leader (2005, 2006)
#9: Steven Jackson
Running Back | 6’2″, 240 lbs
Drafted: 24th overall by the St. Louis Rams
Teams: St. Louis Rams (2004–2012), Atlanta Falcons (2013–2014), New England Patriots (2015)
Steven Jackson was a workhorse with burst—a rare combo of size, vision, and versatility. He carried some bad Rams teams on his back, still managing to rush for over 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons.
Jackson could pound it between the tackles or leak out and catch passes like a wideout. He didn’t get the playoff spotlight others did, but make no mistake—this dude was a one-man offense in his prime, and defenses knew it.
Accolades:
- 3× Pro Bowler (2006, 2009, 2010)
- Over 11,000 career rushing yards
- Rams’ all-time leading rusher
- 8 consecutive 1,000+ yard rushing seasons (2005–2012)
#8: Wes Welker
Wide Receiver | 5’9″, 185 lbs
Drafted: Undrafted in 2004
Teams: San Diego Chargers (2004), Miami Dolphins (2004–2006), New England Patriots (2007–2012), Denver Broncos (2013–2014), St. Louis Rams (2015)
Wes Welker didn’t hear his name called on draft day—but then he built a career louder than most first-rounders. He turned quick cuts and fearless routes over the middle into five 100-catch seasons and became Tom Brady’s go-to guy in New England.
Welker was all about timing, toughness, and getting open when it mattered. No flash, no hype—just pure production. He changed how the NFL viewed the slot receiver and proved that size doesn’t measure heart. Welker also ranks 4th on top white wide receivers of all time.
Accolades:
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- 5× Pro Bowler (2008–2012)
- 2× NFL receptions leader (2007, 2009)
- 5 seasons with 100+ receptions
- 903 career receptions, 9,924 yards, 50 TDs
#7: Jason Peters
Offensive Tackle | 6’4″, 328 lbs
Drafted: Undrafted in 2004
Teams: Buffalo Bills (2004–2008), Philadelphia Eagles (2009–2020), Chicago Bears (2021), Dallas Cowboys (2022), Seattle Seahawks (2023)
Jason Peters came into the league as a tight end and left it as one of the best left tackles of his era. Talk about a transformation, this guy went from undrafted to protecting quarterbacks’ blind sides for 20 seasons.
He had quick feet, heavy hands, and the kind of football IQ that let him dominate elite pass rushers well into his late 30s. A 9-time Pro Bowler, Peters was the anchor of Philly’s line for over a decade and a key piece of their Super Bowl-winning culture.
Accolades:
- Super Bowl LII Champion (Eagles)
- 9× Pro Bowler (2007–2011, 2013–2016)
- 2× First-Team All-Pro (2011, 2013)
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
#6: Jared Allen
Defensive End | 6’6″, 270 lbs
Drafted: 126th overall (4th round) by the Kansas City Chiefs
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (2004–2007), Minnesota Vikings (2008–2013), Chicago Bears (2014–2015), Carolina Panthers (2015)
Jared Allen was a quarterback’s nightmare; relentless, powerful, and always talking smack while he racked up sacks. He brought that old-school edge to the D-line, with a motor that never quit and a mullet that meant business.
Allen had double-digit sacks in 8 seasons, led the league twice, and came within a whisper of breaking the single-season record.
He was the kind of guy you game-planned for—and still couldn’t stop. Allen ranks 4th on our all-time list of white defensive linemen—check out the full ranking here.
Accolades:
- 5× Pro Bowler (2007–2009, 2011–2012)
- 4× First-Team All-Pro (2007–2009, 2011)
- 2× NFL sacks leader (2007, 2011)
- 136 career sacks (12th all-time)
- NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
#5: Vince Wilfork
Defensive Tackle | 6’2″, 325 lbs
Drafted: 21st overall by the New England Patriots
Teams: New England Patriots (2004–2014), Houston Texans (2015–2016)
Vince Wilfork was a mountain in the middle—clogging up run lanes, swallowing double teams, and still finding ways to make plays. He wasn’t just big—he was nimble, and that made him a nightmare for offenses.
Wilfork was the anchor of two Patriots Super Bowl defenses, and his presence in the trenches let guys like Brady and Belichick cook. Big Vince didn’t care about stats—he did the dirty work and won doing it. That’s what great football looks like.
Accolades:
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2× Super Bowl Champion (XXXIX, XLIX)
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5× Pro Bowler (2007, 2009–2012)
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1× First-Team All-Pro (2012)
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NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
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New England Patriots Hall of Fame Inductee
#4: Philip Rivers
Quarterback | 6’5″, 228 lbs
Drafted: 4th overall by the New York Giants (traded to the San Diego Chargers)
Teams: San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2004–2019), Indianapolis Colts (2020)
Philip Rivers came into the 2004 NFL Draft while the Chargers still had Drew Brees under center—talk about a quarterback controversy. But once he got his shot, Rivers made it count.
Philip Rivers never missed a start, never backed down, and never stopped talking trash—all while slinging the rock like a backyard legend with a sidearm delivery. Fiery, fearless, and flat-out productive, Rivers brought it every Sunday.
He was as tough as they come, playing through injuries, leading game-winning drives. He stacked over 63,000 passing yards, started 240 straight games, and led the Chargers to the playoffs year after year.
The only knock? Running into Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in their primes, which kept him from a Super Bowl and the legacy bump that comes with it. Still, he was one of the best pure passers of his era—a gunslinger who never blinked.
Accolades:
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8× Pro Bowler (2006, 2009–2011, 2013, 2016–2018)
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NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2013)
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5,277 career completions (6th all-time)
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63,440 career passing yards (6th all-time)
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421 career passing touchdowns (6th all-time)
#3: Eli Manning
Quarterback | 6’5″, 218 lbs
Drafted: 1st overall by the San Diego Chargers (traded to the New York Giants)
Teams: New York Giants (2004–2019)
Eli Manning walked into the 2004 NFL Draft and made waves before even taking a snap—refusing to play for the Chargers and forcing a blockbuster trade to the Giants. And you know what? New York loved him for it.
Cool under pressure and clutch when it counted, Eli didn’t have the flash, but he had two Super Bowl rings—both over Tom Brady’s Patriots. That alone puts him in rare company. He was durable, dependable, and deadly in big moments, leading game-winning drives on football’s biggest stage.
Accolades:
- 2× Super Bowl Champion (XLII, XLVI)
- 2× Super Bowl MVP
- 4× Pro Bowler (2008, 2011, 2012, 2015)
- 57,023 career passing yards (10th all-time)
- 366 career passing touchdowns (10th all-time)
#2: Ben Roethlisberger
Quarterback | 6’5″, 240 lbs
Drafted: 11th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2021)
Ben Roethlisberger came out of the 2004 NFL Draft and hit the ground running, literally! He went 15-1 as a rookie starter, then won two Super Bowls in his first five seasons.
Big Ben was tough as nails, extending plays like a backyard brawler with a cannon for an arm. He wasn’t always pretty, but he was built for big moments, delivering clutch drives and fourth-quarter magic for nearly two decades. Whether he was dodging sacks or slinging it deep, Roethlisberger brought old-school grit to the modern passing game.
Accolades:
- 2× Super Bowl Champion (XL, XLIII)
- 6× Pro Bowler (2007, 2011, 2014–2017)
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2004)
- 5,440 career completions (5th all-time)
- 64,088 passing yards (5th all-time)
- 418 career passing touchdowns (8th all-time)
#1: Larry Fitzgerald
Wide Receiver | 6’3″, 218 lbs
Drafted: 3rd overall by the Arizona Cardinals
Teams: Arizona Cardinals (2004–2020)
Larry Fitzgerald was the crown jewel of the 2004 NFL Draft—a wideout with hands like glue, routes like clockwork, and respect across the league. He didn’t just catch passes he moved chains, flipped fields, and scored in the clutch.
Fitz was a model of consistency, racking up 1,400+ receptions and nearly 18,000 yards without ever making it about himself. In the 2008 playoffs, he was unstoppable, nearly willing the Cardinals to a Super Bowl win. Quiet leader, relentless competitor, and first-ballot legend—Larry Fitzgerald was everything right about football.
Accolades:
- 11× Pro Bowler (2005, 2007–2013, 2015–2017)
- 2× NFL receptions leader (2005, 2016)
- 2× NFL receiving TDs leader (2008, 2009)
- Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2016)
- 1,432 career receptions (2nd all-time)
- 17,492 receiving yards (2nd all-time)
- 121 receiving touchdowns (6th all-time)
