Eli Manning's preference to not end up with the San Diego Chargers during the 2004 NFL draft may be the most famous case, but prospects apparently have influenced where they are drafted in the past more than fans realize.
At least according to an NFL agent.
"It happens much more than you would know," agent Leigh Steinberg said, per ESPN's Elizabeth Merrill. "Because all the public sees is the ultimate result. But in a number of situations where trades have taken place, athletes have expressed discomfort with going to a certain site or told them they didn't want to.