NFL players can only have the joy of getting drafted once in their careers. With the Pro Bowl Draft becoming a tradition, players get to have that joy multiple times in their respective careers. New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning quickly stole the headlines in his second “draft.”
Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice held the Pro Bowl draft for the second time in NFL history. You could compare the process to a fantasy football draft. The only difference is that your dealing exclusively with the NFL’s biggest stars. Russell Wilson had the honor of being the first overall choice in the draft made by Irvin. Rice wasted no time drafting Manning immediately after with the second overall pick.
It is kind of ironic that Manning was put in a scenario that was very similar to the situation he was actually drafted in as a rookie. The only difference is that Manning was taken first overall in the 2004 draft. He didn’t lose out to the second overall pick, Philip Rivers.
This time around, I guess you can say he lost out to Russell Wilson.
Manning was elected to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger, despite having better stats than him on the season. Stand out players on unsuccessful teams get snubbed too often in the Pro Bowl voting. Manning is the perfect example of that.
2nd overall pick in the 2016 #ProBowlDraft? @Giants QB Eli Manning. #TeamRice pic.twitter.com/I7kQeAeV41
— NFL (@NFL) January 28, 2016
This would be Manning’s fourth Pro Bowl nod. I am honestly surprised he was elected that many times. It has nothing to do with his talent, but it has to do with the fact that he is highly underrated. Hopefully he will preform well in the Pro Bowl and prove his doubters wrong.
Rice gave Manning the chance to play with his number one wide receiver, Odell Beckham. It should be interesting to see how well they work together against a star studded defense. The duo has to face off against the likes of Adam Jones, Desmond Trufant, and their teammate Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
