Wheels are already spinning for today's draft

NEW YORK -- In one of the strongest drafts in years, perhaps decades, any of a handful of players could go on top. Eli Manning would prefer not to be No. 1 -- unless the San Diego Chargers trade the pick.

Manning appears the clear-cut choice to be the first name announced by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue today. The Mississippi quarterback, through his father, Archie, and his agent, has made it just as clear he doesn't want to play for the Chargers.

Manning, brother of Indianapolis star Peyton Manning, the first overall choice in 1998, even has hinted he would sit out the 2004 season if San Diego selects him and doesn't then deal him elsewhere.

"We've made all our comments. I'm not in control of what happens next," Eli Manning said Friday. "My dad has said it all. I just have to sit and wait.

"We felt strongly about this. We didn't plan on it becoming public and it is something we have to deal with."

Manning's stand has added more juice to the NFL's offseason showcase event. Throw in a sensational crop of wide receivers, a strong collection of defensive backs and depth at many positions, and this weekend's proceedings should be intriguing.

A number of teams, particularly the Giants (No. 4), Redskins (No. 5) and Browns (No. 7), are enamored of Iowa tackle Robert Gallery. They also believe he won't last beyond the first three picks, so each team has spoken to San Diego about the first overall spot.

Late Friday, a source within the NFL, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cleveland had a made a strong offer to San Diego to get the No. 1 pick, but that the Chargers were concerned because that could allow the division rival Oakland Raiders to take Manning at No. 2.

The source said the Giants were willing to include quarterback Kerry Collins in a deal. Collins has said he would demand a new contract if that happened. Collins will earn $7 million next season. He has an $8 million-plus salary cap value.

Gallery says his favorite pro tackles are Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace and Tony Boselli, all high first-round choices -- Pace was No. 1 overall in 1997 -- and if he emulates any of them in the NFL, he'll be worth the investment.

And if the Chargers chose him, would he have any problem with that?

"Being No. 1 is obviously a huge deal for anyone," Gallery said. "Especially for an offensive lineman. It's what I've been shooting for. There's no team I'll say I want to be on, but I do want to be the top pick."

Just as many clubs are eager to draft Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who in just two seasons of college ball established himself as a premier playmaker. Another wideout, Texas' Roy Williams, has jumped way up in the ratings, with the Raiders (No. 2) showing strong interest in him, Fitzgerald and Gallery.

Miami tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., whose father is a Hall of Famer, is in the mix, too. So is Miami of Ohio quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

It's possible the first half-dozen picks all will be offensive players: