Explore the 2013 NFL Draft with complete picks, results, top players, draft analysis, notable steals, and the careers that shaped NFL history.
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2013 NFL Draft: Complete Picks, Results, Top Players and Historic Analysis
The 2013 NFL Draft remains one of the most interesting draft classes in National Football League history. Held from April 25 through April 27, 2013, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the draft featured future Pro Bowlers, All-Pros, Super Bowl champions, and several players who became household names in the NFL.
A total of 254 players were selected over seven rounds during the 2013 NFL Draft. While the class was initially criticized for its lack of elite quarterback prospects, it ultimately produced several outstanding players, including Lane Johnson, Travis Kelce, Le'Veon Bell, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyrann Mathieu.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the 2013 NFL Draft, including the first-round picks, draft order, notable players, biggest surprises, and long-term impact on the league.
What Was the 2013 NFL Draft?
The 2013 NFL Draft was the 78th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select eligible college football players.
The event took place over three days:
Round 1: April 25, 2013
Rounds 2–3: April 26, 2013
Rounds 4–7: April 27, 2013
The Kansas City Chiefs held the first overall pick and selected offensive tackle Eric Fisher from Central Michigan.
The draft included 32 first-round selections and 254 total picks across seven rounds. According to historical draft records, Florida State led all colleges with 11 players selected.
2013 NFL Draft First Round Picks
The first round of the 2013 NFL Draft featured several highly regarded offensive linemen and defensive prospects. Interestingly, three offensive tackles were selected within the first four picks.
Here is the complete first-round draft order:
PickTeamPlayerPositionCollege1Kansas City ChiefsEric FisherOTCentral Michigan2Jacksonville JaguarsLuke JoeckelOTTexas A&M3Miami DolphinsDion JordanDEOregon4Philadelphia EaglesLane JohnsonOTOklahoma5Detroit LionsEzekiel AnsahDEBYU6Cleveland BrownsBarkevious MingoDELSU7Arizona CardinalsJonathan CooperGNorth Carolina8St. Louis RamsTavon AustinWRWest Virginia9New York JetsDee MillinerCBAlabama10Tennessee TitansChance WarmackGAlabama11San Diego ChargersD.J. FlukerOTAlabama12Oakland RaidersD.J. HaydenCBHouston13New York JetsSheldon RichardsonDTMissouri14Carolina PanthersStar LotuleleiDTUtah15New Orleans SaintsKenny VaccaroDBTexas16Buffalo BillsE.J. ManuelQBFlorida State17Pittsburgh SteelersJarvis JonesLBGeorgia18San Francisco 49ersEric ReidSLSU19New York GiantsJustin PughOTSyracuse20Chicago BearsKyle LongGOregon21Cincinnati BengalsTyler EifertTENotre Dame22Atlanta FalconsDesmond TrufantCBWashington23Minnesota VikingsSharrif FloydDTFlorida24Indianapolis ColtsBjoern WernerDEFlorida State25Minnesota VikingsXavier RhodesCBFlorida State26Green Bay PackersDatone JonesDEUCLA27Houston TexansDeAndre HopkinsWRClemson28Denver BroncosSylvester WilliamsDTNorth Carolina29Minnesota VikingsCordarrelle PattersonWRTennessee30St. Louis RamsAlec OgletreeLBGeorgia31Dallas CowboysTravis FrederickCWisconsin32Baltimore RavensMatt ElamDBFlorida
The complete first-round list is documented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and official NFL draft records.
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Top Players Selected in the 2013 NFL Draft
Although the 2013 NFL Draft did not produce an immediate superstar quarterback, several selections became some of the most successful players of their generation.
1. Lane Johnson – Philadelphia Eagles
Lane Johnson was selected fourth overall by the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming out of Oklahoma, Johnson quickly developed into one of the NFL's premier offensive tackles.
His athleticism, versatility, and pass-blocking ability made him a key part of Philadelphia's offensive line. Johnson became a multiple-time Pro Bowl selection and an important contributor to the Eagles' Super Bowl LII championship team.
His career is widely considered one of the biggest successes of the 2013 NFL Draft.
2. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
One of the greatest steals of the 2013 NFL Draft was Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Kelce was selected in the third round with the 63rd overall pick. At the time, few could have predicted that he would become one of the most dominant tight ends in NFL history.
His combination of route-running, athleticism, and receiving ability transformed the tight end position.
Kelce's selection is often mentioned whenever discussions arise about the best value picks in NFL Draft history.
3. DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans
DeAndre Hopkins was selected 27th overall by the Houston Texans.
The Clemson wide receiver quickly established himself as one of the league's elite pass catchers. Known for incredible hands, contested catches, and precise route-running, Hopkins became a consistent All-Pro caliber receiver.
His success demonstrated that elite wide receiver talent could still be found late in the first round.
4. Le'Veon Bell – Pittsburgh Steelers
Le'Veon Bell was selected in the second round with the 48th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bell became famous for his patient running style, receiving ability, and versatility as a dual-threat running back. During his peak years, he was considered one of the most difficult players in the NFL to defend.
His performance made him one of the most valuable selections outside the first round.
5. Tyrann Mathieu – Arizona Cardinals
Tyrann Mathieu, nicknamed "The Honey Badger," was selected in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals.
Despite concerns surrounding his college career, Mathieu proved his critics wrong by becoming an elite defensive back. His instincts, versatility, and leadership made him one of the most impactful players from the 2013 NFL Draft class.
He later became a Super Bowl champion and multiple-time Pro Bowl selection.
Biggest Surprises of the 2013 NFL Draft
Every NFL Draft has unexpected outcomes, and the 2013 class was no exception.
No Running Back Selected in the First Round
One of the most notable facts about the 2013 NFL Draft was that no running back was selected in the first round.
This was the first time in 49 years that the opening round did not feature a running back selection. Despite this, the draft produced highly successful running backs such as Le'Veon Bell and Eddie Lacy.
Travis Kelce Became a Superstar
Kelce was selected 63rd overall, yet he developed into one of the most accomplished players from the entire draft class.
His success highlights the importance of scouting beyond the first round.
Eddie Lacy Won Offensive Rookie of the Year
Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy was selected in the second round with the 61st overall pick.
He immediately made an impact and won the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2013.
Multiple Elite Defensive Players Emerged
The 2013 NFL Draft also produced several strong defensive players, including:
Sheldon Richardson
Tyrann Mathieu
Eric Reid
Desmond Trufant
Xavier Rhodes
Ezekiel Ansah
These players contributed significantly to their teams and helped establish the overall quality of the draft class.
Why the 2013 NFL Draft Was Different
The 2013 NFL Draft was considered unusual because it lacked a clear franchise quarterback prospect at the top of the board.
E.J. Manuel was the only quarterback selected in the first round, going 16th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
Unlike some draft classes featuring quarterbacks such as Andrew Luck, Joe Burrow, or Trevor Lawrence, the 2013 class focused heavily on offensive linemen and defensive players.
Six offensive linemen were selected among the first 11 picks, reflecting the league's emphasis on protecting quarterbacks and building strong offensive fronts.
ESPN's draft analysis at the time described the class as rich in physical linemen but relatively limited in elite skill-position talent during the first round.
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Complete 2013 NFL Draft Round-by-Round Overview
The draft consisted of seven rounds and 254 total selections.
Round 1
The first round included 32 selections, beginning with Eric Fisher and ending with Matt Elam.
The most notable first-round selections included:
Eric Fisher
Lane Johnson
Ezekiel Ansah
Sheldon Richardson
Kyle Long
DeAndre Hopkins
Travis Frederick
Round 2
The second round produced several future stars, including:
Geno Smith – New York Jets
Le'Veon Bell – Pittsburgh Steelers
Eddie Lacy – Green Bay Packers
Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles
Darius Slay – Detroit Lions
Round 3
The third round was particularly valuable for teams looking for long-term talent.
Notable selections included:
Tyrann Mathieu – Arizona Cardinals
Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
Jordan Reed – Washington Redskins
Knile Davis – Kansas City Chiefs
Rounds 4–7
Later rounds also produced important NFL contributors.
Players such as:
Aaron Dobson
Matt Barkley
Zac Stacy
Spencer Ware
Kenny Stills
demonstrated that valuable talent could be found throughout the draft.
2013 NFL Draft Best Picks and Steals
When evaluating the draft years later, several selections stand out as exceptional value picks.
PlayerDraft RoundTeamWhy It Was a Great PickTravis KelceRound 3ChiefsBecame an elite tight endLe'Veon BellRound 2SteelersDominant dual-threat running backTyrann MathieuRound 3CardinalsElite defensive versatilityDeAndre HopkinsRound 1, Pick 27TexansPro Bowl-level wide receiverEddie LacyRound 2PackersOffensive Rookie of the YearZach ErtzRound 2EaglesReliable Pro Bowl tight endDarius SlayRound 2LionsLong-term defensive star
Among these players, Travis Kelce and Tyrann Mathieu are frequently regarded as two of the biggest bargains in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Teams That Benefited Most from the 2013 NFL Draft
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles selected Lane Johnson in the first round and Zach Ertz in the second round. Both became important parts of Philadelphia's offensive success.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City selected Eric Fisher first overall and Travis Kelce in the third round. While Fisher became a solid offensive tackle, Kelce's selection proved to be one of the franchise's most valuable draft decisions.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers selected Jarvis Jones in the first round and Le'Veon Bell in the second round.
Bell became a major offensive weapon during his time in Pittsburgh.
Houston Texans
DeAndre Hopkins, selected 27th overall, became one of the most productive wide receivers of his generation.
2013 NFL Draft Statistics and Facts
Here are some interesting facts about the 2013 NFL Draft:
Total Players Selected: 254
Number of Rounds: 7
First Overall Pick: Eric Fisher
First Quarterback Selected: E.J. Manuel
First Skill Position Player: Tavon Austin
Mr. Irrelevant: Justice Cunningham
Host Venue: Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Draft Dates: April 25–27, 2013
College With Most Selections: Florida State
Super Bowl Champion from the 2013 NFL Season: Seattle Seahawks
The draft also featured players from more than 100 college programs, demonstrating the depth and diversity of talent available in college football.
Legacy of the 2013 NFL Draft
The true value of an NFL Draft class is often determined years after draft night.
At the time, the 2013 NFL Draft was not considered one of the strongest quarterback classes in modern history. However, its long-term legacy improved significantly because of players who developed into elite professionals.
Lane Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, Travis Kelce, Le'Veon Bell, Tyrann Mathieu, Kyle Long, and Zach Ertz all became major contributors at the NFL level.
The draft serves as an excellent reminder that NFL success is not determined solely by first-round selections.
Teams that identify talent in later rounds often gain a significant competitive advantage.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the 2013 NFL Draft
Who was the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft?
Eric Fisher, an offensive tackle from Central Michigan, was selected first overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.
When was the 2013 NFL Draft held?
The draft took place from April 25 through April 27, 2013.
Who was the best player from the 2013 NFL Draft?
Travis Kelce, Lane Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Tyrann Mathieu are among the strongest candidates for the best player from the class.
Which quarterback was selected first in 2013?
E.J. Manuel was the first quarterback selected, going 16th overall to the Buffalo Bills.
Was Travis Kelce drafted in 2013?
Yes. Travis Kelce was selected in the third round with the 63rd overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.
How many players were selected in the 2013 NFL Draft?
A total of 254 players were selected across seven rounds.
Which team had the number one pick?
The Kansas City Chiefs held the first overall selection.
Final Thoughts
The 2013 NFL Draft may not have featured a legendary quarterback class, but it produced numerous elite players who went on to shape the NFL for years.
From Lane Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins to Travis Kelce and Tyrann Mathieu, the draft demonstrated that superstar talent can emerge from any round.
For NFL fans, historians, fantasy football enthusiasts, and sports researchers, the 2013 NFL Draft remains an important draft class worth studying.
Its combination of unexpected steals, successful late-round selections, and long-term player development makes it one of the more fascinating drafts in recent NFL history.