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The Giants’ Biggest Draft Since 2004—When Dave Gettleman Was There Too

Of all the steely poker moves in NFL draft history, consider the agreement former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi made with Chargers executive A.J. Smith with eight minutes left on New York’s pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.

• Smith had already selected Eli Manning (the top quarterback on his board and Accorsi’s board) with the No. 1 overall pick, knowing full well that Manning would not play for the Chargers.

• Accorsi and the Giants, owner of the No. 4 pick, had previously turned down a mid-April proposal from Smith, who he didn’t know at all, to swap selections because the deal included Osi Umenyiora.