SAN DIEGO -- In 2004, the San Diego Chargers selected Eli Manning No. 1 overall, even though the Ole Miss product did not want to play for the franchise. So rather than keeping a disgruntled Manning, the Chargers traded him to the New York Giants, receiving Philip Rivers and three other picks used to select kicker Nate Kaeding in the third round, linebacker Shawne Merriman in the first round of the 2005 draft and tackle Roman Oben in the fifth round of 2005.
That group and the rest of the 2004 draft class served as the foundation to four straight playoff appearances for the Chargers from 2006 to 2009, including an AFC Championship Game appearance in 2007, making 2004 the best draft class for the franchise.