NFL Draft: 2004 Re-Draft

2. Oakland Raiders

New Pick: Philip Rivers

2004 Pick: Robert Gallery

Are the Raiders still, to this day, looking for a franchise quarterback? Yes? It’s an easy pick then, Rivers goes from SoCal to NoCal, as the Raiders snag him at No. 2 instead of left tackle bust Gallery.

Fresh off a deserved Comeback Player of the Year season, there’s not a more decorated regular season player in this draft. Rivers has been to five Pro Bowls, the same number as Roethlisberger and Manning combined. He has also won a passing yards title and passing TDs title, something the other two haven’t accomplished. However, it has to be mentioned that he’s also two rings short of those guys, as the postseason success just hasn’t been there.

Coming out of college, Rivers was criticized by scouts for having that unorthodox throwing motion. However, what went unnoticed was his production at NC State. Rivers is the all-time leader in the ACC in passing yards, and it’s not close. You have to believe that in 2014, Rivers might slip from the first round, as there’s even a greater emphasis on mechanics now, as scouts and talking heads pick apart QBs completely (see this year’s draft).

If any Raiders fans disagree with the Rivers pick here, allow me to sway you know with this reality. If Oakland takes Rivers in 2004, JaMarcus Russell never happens. Doesn’t that sound like a happier world?