Despite being projected as a possible top-10 pick, Rivers would not allow himself to believe it until he received a call from the Bengals, who reportedly had their sights set on Ellis.
"I'm the kind of guy who thinks about the worst scenario at first so I don't get my hopes up," Rivers said by phone.
Rivers added that the decision to return for a final season under Carroll, defensive coordinator Nick Holt and linebackers coach Ken Norton, a former All-Pro, was worth it.
"It's paid off for me and for the other guys as well who decided to stay -- their dreams are going to come true," Rivers said. "You can't leave early and miss out on some great learning from an All-Pro."
Baker had been projected as a possible top-15 pick in 2007, but he returned and endured a season that included a broken rib and also a hamstring injury that forced him to sit out more than three games.
Baker, the sixth offensive tackle taken, said he was "pretty sure" that the Falcons would pick him, but he was pleasantly surprised when they traded up into the first round to do so.
"Even if I would have gone later, I would not have regretted the decision to come back to USC," he said by phone.
Jackson also was elated and said the decision to return for a final season paid off in more than dollars, citing "the maturity I gained, the awareness of my body and the added knowledge of the game."
Staff writer Sam Farmer contributed to this report.
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gary.klein@latimes.com
