Eli Manning only had any leverage because his brother Peyton had already demonstrated that the family pedigree was top caliber. And Elway’s leverage was based on his multi-sport background and a large contract offer from the New York Yankees while he was still at Stanford.
So.....what is your point? It kind of sounds like you are trying to justify their uncooperative, childish conduct.
The football teams should have refused to draft either of them.