Ja’Marr Chase could be the bet of the NFL season
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The lead-up to the 2013 NFL Draft carried with it a universal warning from talent evaluators. This year’s crop of NFL prospects was not looking very good.
There weren’t many consensus blue-chip players in the 2013 NFL Draft. There were even fewer high-quality quarterbacks, with many wondering whether one of Geno Smith or EJ Manuel would be selected in the first round.
The battle for the No. 1 overall pick turned into a battle between Jake Fisher and Luke Joeckel. At the same time, Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner and West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin were viewed as two of the class’s more exciting players.
All told, the warnings about the strength of the draft class proved valid. Many of the top selections in the 2013 NFL Draft ultimately proved to be busts, and few from the 254-man class went on to become consistent, high-quality NFL players.
Among them was tight end Travis Kelce. The Cincinnati product wasn’t selected in the first round of the draft, and most only knew him as the younger brother of Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
Even so, the athletic prospect performed well enough to draw the interest of Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs. And since being selected, Kelce has turned himself into one of the best players from the entire 2013 NFL Draft.
When was Travis Kelce drafted?
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kelce in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Cincinnati product was the 63rd overall selection and the fifth tight end chosen in the draft to that point.
Kelce ranks No. 1 among all 2013 draftees in total receptions (1,004) and ranks second in receiving yards (12,151) and receiving touchdowns (77) behind only DeAndre Hopkins. The two played together during the 2024 NFL season after the Chiefs acquired Hopkins via trade from the Tennessee Titans.
Who was the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft?
Eric Fisher was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Chiefs selected the offensive tackle out of Central Michigan and planned to make him the team’s long-term starter at left tackle.
Fisher played 132 games (128 starts) across nine career NFL seasons, eight in Kansas City and one with the Indianapolis Colts. He was named a Pro Bowler twice, in 2018 and 2020, and won Super Bowl 55 while blocking on Patrick Mahomes‘ blind side.
Kelce and Fisher played together for all eight of Fisher’s seasons with the Chiefs. Kelce is entering his 13th season with the Chiefs in 2025.
2013 NFL Draft: Every player selected before Travis Kelce
Kelce was selected atop the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Below is a look at all the players selected before him:
Round 1Chiefs: Eric Fisher, OT, Central MichiganJaguars: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&MDolphins: Dion Jordan, edge, OregonEagles: Lane Johnson, OT, OklahomaLions: Ezekiel Ansah, edge, BYUBrowns: Barkevious Mingo, edge, LSUCardinals: Jonathan Cooper, G, UNCRams: Tavon Austin, WR, West VirginiaJets: Dee Milliner, CB, AlabamaTitans: Chance Warmack, G, AlabamaChargers: D.J. Fluker, OL, AlabamaRaiders: D.J. Hayden, CB, HoustonJets: Sheldon Richardson, DT, MissouriPanthers: Star Lotulelei, DT, UtahSaints: Kenny Vaccaro, S, TexasBills: EJ Manuel, QB, Florida StateSteelers: Jarvin Jones, edge, Georgia49ers: Eric Reid, S, LSUGiants: Justin Pugh, OL, SyracuseBears: Kyle Long, G, OregonBengals: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre DameFalcons: Desmond Trufant, CB, WashingtonVikings: Sharrif Floyd, DT, FloridaColts: Bjoern Werner, edge, Florida StateVikings: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida StatePackers: Datone Jones, DL, UCLATexans: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, ClemsonBroncos: Sylvester Williams, DT, UNCVikings: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB, TennesseeRams: Alec Ogletree, LB, GeorgiaCowboys: Travis Frederick, C, WisconsinRavens: Matt Elam, S, FloridaRound 2Jaguars: Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida InternationalTitans: Justin Hunter, WR, TennesseeEagles: Zach Ertz, TE, StanfordLions: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi StateBengals: Giovani Bernard, RB, UNCChargers: Manti Te’o, LB, Notre DameJets: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia49ers: Tank Carradine, DL, Florida StateBills: Robert Woods, WR, USCRaiders: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida StateBuccaneers: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi StatePanthers: Kawann Short, DT, PurdueCardinals: Kevin Minter, LB, LSUBills: Kiko Alonso, LB, OregonCowboys: Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego StateSteelers: Le’Veon Bell, RB, Michigan StateGiants: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio StateBears: Jonathan Bostic, LB, FloridaCommanders: David Amerson, CB, NC StatePatriots: Jamie Collins, LB, Southern MissBengals: Margus Hunt, DL, SMUDolphins: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State49ers: Vance McDonald, TE, RiceRavens: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas StateTexans: D.J. Swearinger, S, South CarolinaBroncos: Montee Ball, RB, WisconsinPatriots: Aaron Dobson, WR, MarshallFalcons: Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern LouisianaPackers: Eddie Lacy, RB, AlabamaSeahawks: Christine Michael, RB, Texas A&M
Kelce is one of just 12 players from the 2013 NFL Draft class to be named an All-Pro first-teamer. His four All-Pro first-team nods are tied for the most in the class with Cordarrelle Patterson, who has earned his four as a return specialist.