NFL Flashback- The Top 5 Most Memorable Draft Picks of 2013

Travis Kelce

Travis Kelce is now one of the biggest stars in the NFL, nearly a decade after the draft. On draft day in 2013, Kelce was a highly-touted tight end. However, nobody live betting on the draft would have gone near a bet that he would become arguably the greatest tight end to ever play. Tyler Eifert, Zach Ertz, and even the late Gavin Escobar all rated higher than Kelce, thanks to his off-the-field problems.

On the day of the draft, teams selected four tight ends before Kelce came off the board. Ultimately, it took 63 picks for arguably the best player in the draft to hear his name, but it paid off for the Chiefs. After missing his first two seasons due to injury, he went for over 800 yards in his first two seasons. Then, he rattled off seven consecutive 1000-yard seasons, a streak that is still alive today. No other tight end has more than four straight seasons. During those seasons, Kelce won two Super Bowls, started a podcast, became a global superstar, and started dating Taylor Swift.

DeAndre Hopkins

While Kelce gets most of the accolades due to his position, DeAndre Hopkins has the most receiving yards of the 2013 draft class at 11,862, almost 1,000 more than Kelce, thanks to Hopkins not missing his rookie season.

After a modest rookie season, Hopkins rattled off a six-year stretch with the Texans that included three seasons with more than 1,400 yards, four Pro Bowls, three First-Team All-Pro selections, and a league-leading 13 touchdowns in 2017. Much of this production came with subpar quarterback play before Deshaun Watson came to town as well. Hopkins may be on the decline in his career, but he is still arguably the best player in the 2013 draft.

Le'Veon Bell

Bell is arguably the most accomplished running back from the 2013 draft class, but he may not be remembered for that. His contract saga with the Steelers and an infamous season that he voluntarily sat out might ultimately be what fans remember him for. Like Kelce and Hopkins, he was not a top prospect. Bell was taken in the middle of the second round, just the second running back off the board.

The Michigan State alum immediately produced, rattling off an 860-yard rookie campaign for embarking on a four-year stretch where he was arguably the best running back in the league. Known for his patient running style behind Pittsburgh's monstrous offensive line, Bell rattled off three 1,200+ yard campaigns in four seasons, only stopping short of four due to injury. His 2014 season was one of the best ever, rushing for over 1,300 yards while adding nearly 900 receiving yards. He was a three-time All-Pro thanks to those efforts.

However, his career abruptly stalled after a contract dispute with the Steelers. When Pittsburgh failed to give him the deal he wanted, he voluntarily sat out the 2018 season. He then became a free agent and got his contract with the Jets. He rushed for over 700 yards his first season but barely averaged three yards per carry. Two years later, he was out of the league.

David Bakhtiari

Though the 2013 draft class was historically weak, it did have several great offensive linemen. Eric Fisher wasn’t a superstar as the first overall pick, but he still made several Pro Bowl teams over his career. The Eagles drafted Lane Johnson three picks later, and he has been a stalwart at right tackle for multiple Super Bowl contenders in Philadelphia.

However, the best of the bunch is David Bakhtiari, taken after nearly every other lineman in the draft with the 109th overall pick. The former Colorado Buffalo is a five-time All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler for the Packers, blocking Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers' blindside for nearly a decade.

Tyrann Mathieu

Surrounded by off-the-field drama, Tyrann Mathieu fell to the third round. After being kicked off the LSU squad, Mathieu began to turn his life around and became one of the greatest defensive backs of his generation, known for his intense leadership. A three-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro, as well as a Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, Mathieu made the All-2010 team and may be Hall of Fame-bound when he retires.

How Should We Rate The 2013 Draft Class?

The 2013 NFL draft class is known for lacking talent at the top of the draft. However, the class proved that great players can come from the bottom of the draft as well. According to the weighted Approximated Value, 13 of the top 20 players were taken after the first round. Teams found productive players in the later rounds, even potential Hall of Famers. Ultimately, that may be what the 2013 draft is remembered for.