Straight from a NY paper:
Giant four-sight
Accorsi: Trading up is unlikely
By RALPH VACCHIANO
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
The Giants would love to trade up for the No.1 pick in the NFL draft to select Eli Manning, or trade up to No.2 to get Robert Gallery. But with the draft three days away, it looks more like they will stay put at No. 4.
According to several NFL sources, the Giants have had only very preliminary conversations with the Chargers and Raiders, who hold the first and second picks, respectively. And the Giants are becoming convinced those teams will hold onto those picks.
Add that to the news yesterday that Chargers GM A.J. Smith plans to open negotiations with the agents for both players today, and even Giants GM Ernie Accorsi conceded a move up to No. 1 may be only a fading dream.
"If you asked me to put my $2 down, I'd say they're going to keep it and make the pick," Accorsi said on WFAN yesterday. "In the final analysis I think they won't (trade), but I think they want to see what they can get."
Accorsi said the Chargers "haven't set a price yet." According to one team official, Accorsi's only conversation with Smith came last week when he told the Chargers to call back if they were interested in trading. As of yesterday, they hadn't done so, though Accorsi admitted "I'll probably talk to them again" before the Friday deadline Smith set for making a deal.
If the Giants remain stuck at No.4, they would have no shot at Manning or Gallery, and Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald - the apparent target of Arizona at No. 3 - would likely be off the board, too. If that happens, according to a source, the Giants' choice would likely come down to Texas receiver Roy Williams or Miami of Ohio QB Ben Roethlisberger, whom Accorsi called "a terrific prospect" and a potential franchise quarterback.
Miami safety Sean Taylor would be a possibility, though Accorsi said "some people want him very badly and may come to us to get him." In that event, the Giants could trade down. The Cleveland Browns, at No.7, could be a trade partner, since they're reportedly interested in moving up for Roethlisberger.
Originally published on April 21, 2004