A redrafting of the first round of the 2013 draft done by Pro Football Focus helped highlighted how many home runs were hit by Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson on Saturday, April 27, 2013.
In the original draft, Thompson took defensive lineman Datone Jones in the first round and running back Eddie Lacy — who eventually became the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year — in the second round. But neither cracked the first round of PFF’s redraft.
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However, three of Thompson’s picks on Day 3 ended up in the top 32 picks of the redraft, including one in the top five.
The gem of the class was left tackle David Bakhtiari, the 109th overall pick. He went No. 4 overall in the redraft. Incredibly, the Packers found one of the best left tackles in recent history and a borderline Pro Football Hall of Famer in the fourth round.
From PFF: “If Bakhtiari doesn’t end up a Hall of Famer, injuries will be the only reason. He is one of the greatest pass protectors of his generation. His 94.7 career PFF pass-blocking grade trails only Joe Thomas for the best mark among all offensive tackles since 2013. He also led all tackles in PFF pass-blocking grade in each season from 2016 to 2018.”
Bakhtiari wasn’t alone in the first round. Defensive back Micah Hyde, the 159th overall pick, went No. 15. Hyde’s best years weren’t with the Packers, but Thompson still found an All-Pro talent in the fifth round.
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From PFF: “Hyde began his career with four decent seasons as a slot cornerback in Green Bay before heading to Buffalo. Once there, he moved to safety and turned in a fantastic stretch of play. From 2017 to 2021, he compiled a 91.2 PFF overall grade that ranked sixth among all safeties. His 95.0 PFF coverage grade over that span placed third, behind Harrison Smith and Adrian Amos.”
JC Tretter was Thompson’s second pick of Day 3 in 2013. The 122nd overall pick ended up at No. 21 in the redraft. Like Hyde, his best years came after he left Green Bay; Tretter ended up starting five straight seasons at center in Cleveland.
From PFF: “Tretter well outplayed his fourth-round draft slot. His rookie season featured the lone sub-80.0 PFF pass-blocking grade of his eight-year career. He played more than 1,000 snaps in each of his final five seasons, all as a starter in Cleveland.”
Unfortunately for Thompson and the Packers, Jones was never a full-time starter in Green Bay despite producing 12 quarterback hits over his final two seasons, and Lacy’s bright start to his pro career flamed out fast. Neither was re-signed after their rookie contracts expired. Throw in a career-ending neck injury suffered by promising running back Johnathan Franklin, and the 2013 class was a mix of incredible picks, missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential.
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Still, drafting three impressive football players to start Day 3 is an incredible feat for any team, especially now with 12 years of hindsight knowledge. The only shame is that the Packers didn’t get more out of Tretter and Hyde while they were in Green Bay.
Offensive tackle Rick Wagner, a fifth-round pick who finished his career in Green Bay, ended up at No. 31 overall in the redraft.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers 2013 redraft David Bahktiari, Micah Hyde and JC Tretter PFF