Trades Rule the Day
A record number of trades, from Eli Manning for Philip Rivers at the top to one involving the 226th pick near the bottom, signified just how strong a crop of players was available in this year’s NFL draft. Star quarterbacks such as John Navarre and Cody Pickett went in the seventh round Sunday. All-American linebacker Grant Wiley wasn’t even drafted.
After 10 trades in the first round and 18 on the first day, NFL executives didn’t slow much Sunday. In between selecting obscure defensive tackles from Delta State and tight ends from Nebraska Omaha, they made 10 more deals to break the two-day record of 26 set in 1999.
The Kansas City Chiefs sent Philadelphia their fifth-round pick this year and fourth-round choice in 2005 for John Welbourn, a five-year veteran guard-tackle. Jacksonville dealt receiver Kevin Johnson to Baltimore for the Ravens’ fourth-round pick.
Over two days, 14 players were chosen from Ohio State, tying the seven-round record set by Miami two years ago.
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