Armed with six years worth of knowledge, let’s take a look back at the 2013 NFL Draft and try to right some of the wrongs from that draft.
The power of hindsight is a beautiful thing.
Oh boy, this was a heck of draft, and not in a good way. Heralded as the worst draft within the last decade, the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft gave us a laundry list of busts.
Guys like Luke Joeckel, Dion Jordan, and Tavon Austin to name a few, were all drafted way earlier than they ever should have been. All three, amongst many others, were highly regarded prospects that just did not pan out.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you had guys like Travis Kelce or LeVeon Bell who were taken later in the draft, then blossomed into being the best players at their respective positions.
To me, the 2013 NFL Draft is a prime example of how unpredictable the NFL Draft can be. There were names, like the ones mentioned above who were thought to have success in the NFL but they ultimately flamed out. There were others who were over-drafted like EJ Manuel or Star Lotulelei, while better players went undrafted (i.e. Tony Jefferson).
While most of this draft was chock full of horrendous picks, the 2013 NFL still produced some worthwhile talent. So without further ado, let’s fix this draft class.
1. Kansas City Chiefs- Lane Johnson- Offensive Tackle – Oklahoma
Original Pick: Eric Fisher- Offensive Tackle – CMU
Only just now seeming to find his footing, the selection of Eric Fisher hasn’t quite panned out how the Chiefs would have liked. However, in this what-if type of scenario, they take Lane Johnson, who has become one of the best tackles in football.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Terron Armstead – Offensive Tackle – Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Original Pick: Luke Joeckel – Offensive Tackle – Texas A&M
Oh, boy did the Jags whiff on Joeckel, who is currently teamless after not re-signing with Seattle Seahawks in 2017. Instead, I gave them Terron Armstead, who like Johnson has become a top-10 tackle in the NFL.
3. Miami Dolphins – DeAndre Hopkins – Wide Receiver – Clemson
Original Pick: Dion Jordan – Defensive End – Oregon
Speaking of missing on a player, the Miami Dolphins selection of Dion Jordan was a complete misfire, and one I would imagine they still regret. The player they should have probably taken is DeAndre Hopkins, who has turned into a top 5 receiver in the NFL and would have definitely helped in Ryan Tannehill’s development.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – David Bahktiari – Offensive Tackle – Colorado
Original Pick: Lane Johnson – Offensive Tackle – Oklahoma
With having already re-drafted Lane Johnson to the Kansas City Chiefs, in turn, I have given them David Bahktiari. Like Johnson and Armstead, Bahktiari has solidified himself as one of the better tackles in football. This is a scenario where a team gets a great player regardless.
5. Detroit Lions – Travis Kelce – Tight End – Cincinnati
Original Pick: Ziggy Ansah- Defensive End- BYU
After struggling with injuries and inconsistent play, former fifth overall pick Ezekiel Ansah probably did not pan out as the Lions had hoped. With Kelce however, the Lions could have provided Matthew Stafford with a game-changing tight end.
6. Cleveland Browns – Le’Veon Bell – Running Back – Michigan State
Original Pick: Barkevious Mingo – Defensive End – LSU
The selection of Mingo, like the next six on this re-draft, has ended not working out. Coming during a year in which they would go on to trade Trent Richardson away to the Colts, the Browns beat Pittsburgh to the punch and select Bell.
7. Arizona Cardinals – Tyrann Mathieu – Defensive Back – LSU
Original Pick: Jonathan Cooper- Guard – UNC
To some this pick might be way too early, however, I believe it just makes too much sense. The Honey Badger played his tail off in Arizona and will be fondly remembered by everyone there for doing so. I have them taking him two rounds earlier.
8. St. Louis Rams – Keenan Allen – Wide Reciever- California
Original Pick: Tavon Austin – Wide Reciever- West Virginia
After being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018 for what amounts to a half-eaten ham sandwich (a 2018 sixth-round pick), it seems pretty safe to say that Tavon Austin has not panned out. Like with Miami’s pick, I would have given Sam Bradford an elite tier wide receiver in Keenan Allen.
9. New York Jets – Xavier Rhodes – Cornerback – FSU
Original Pick: Dee Milliner – Cornerback – Alabama
If not for a rampant streak with injuries, I may not have had to bump Milliner from this spot, but alas that is not the case. Given how good Rhodes has become over the years, the Jets wished they could have made this swap.
10. Tennessee Titans – Travis Frederick – Center – Wisconsin
Original Pick: Chance Warmack – Guard – Alabama
Imagine it, the prospect of having Travis Frederick and future selections Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin on the same offensive line. With Frederick, the Titans could have had much more formidable rushing attack with him anchoring the center, oh what could have been.
11. San Diego Chargers – Kyle Long – Guard – Oregon
Original Pick: DJ Fluker – Offensive Tackle – Alabama
Similar to the Tennessee pick, the Chargers would probably be in better shape along their offensive line if they had long. Despite his recent bout with injury, Long has been one of the better guards in the NFL and would have helped San Diego’s rushing attach immensely.
12. Oakland Raiders – Darius Slay – Cornerback – Mississippi State
Original Pick: DJ Hayden – Cornerback – Houston
With the Raiders still in their deep lull period, the Silver and Black needed a boost anywhere they could get it. Unfortunately, that did not come with DJ Hayden. Instead, I have them taking Darius “Big Play” Slay here, who along with Charles Woodson would have given the Raiders a much-improved secondary with Slay’s great shutdown ability.
13. New York Jets – Adam Thielen – Wide Reciever – Minnesota State
Original Pick: Sheldon Richardson – Defensive Tackle – Louisville
I had almost kept Richardson, given how he played early in career, but I think drafting a receiver would have been a smarter option. With his silky smooth route-running and great hands, Adam Thielen would have made a great target for a young Geno Smith, who the Jets would later take in this draft.
14. Carolina Panthers – Kawann Short – Defensive Tackle – Purdue
Original Pick: Star Lotuleilei – Defensive – Utah
Wrong tackle, wrong pick. Sure Lotulelei has always been a more than capable run-stuffer for the Panthers, but he’s no Kawaan Short. What Short gives Carolina is invaluable, not only does he fill gaps extremely well, he gives them am interior pass rush that is vital in today’s league.
15. New Orleans Saints – Eric Reid – Safety – LSU
Original Pick: Kenny Vaccaro – Safety – Texas
While he certainly seems to have fallen off now, there was a time when Eric Reid was thought to be a budding star. While he’s still had a good career with his cover ability, things may have turned better for him if he were in a different system.
16. Buffalo Bills – Eric Fisher – Offensive Tackle – CMU
Original Pick: EJ Manuel – Quarterback – FSU
There’s no question that the selection of EJ Manuel was a total misfire on the part of the Buffalo Bills. Maybe they could have ridden things out with Ryan Fitzpatrick, and one way of doing so is getting him some more reliable protection. Sure, Fisher is not a top-10 player at his position but he’s slowly become a more than solid pass protector
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jamie Collins – Linebacker – Southern Miss
Original Pick: Jarvis Jones – Linebacker- Georgia
After a stellar college career, Jones flamed out during his time in the pros and now sits teamless after playing from 2013-17. What the Steelers should have done with their pick is select versatile linebacker Jamie Collins, who could have filled multiple roles for Pittsburgh.
18. San Francisco 49ers – Desmond Trufant – Cornerback – Washington
Original Pick: Eric Reid – Safety- LSU
To me, Desmond Trufant is one of the more forgotten players in the entire NFL. Perhaps it is due to playing in the shadow of his older brother Marcus, or his low interception count. Whatever the case may be, the 49ers would have been grateful to have him on their roster.
19. New York Giants- Justin Pugh – Offensive Lineman – Syracuse
Original Pick: Justin Pugh- Offensive Lineman – Syracuse
This is the one and only pick I have left alone. Despite not being on their roster anymore, the New York Giants were smart to select the former Syracuse offensive lineman, as Pugh has quietly been one of the more solid players at his position.
20. Chicago Bears -Zach Ertz- Tight End – Stanford
Original Pick: Kyle Long – Offensive Lineman – Oregon
Despite having Martellus Bennett on their roster in 2013, I still believe that Ertz would have paid dividends for Jay Cutler. With his great hands and toughness, Ertz could have greatly helped the Mark Trestman helmed Bears.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Jordan Reed – Tight End – Florida
Original Pick: Tyler Eifert – Tight End – Notre Dame
To some, this may seem like I am swapping one injury-prone tight end for another. However, while Tyler Eifert may be a good player, I have always held Reed’s hands and toughness in higher regard than I did Eifert.
22. Atlanta Falcons – Ziggy Ansah – Defensive End – BYU
Original Pick: Desmond Trufant – Cornerback – Washington
At this time, the Atlanta Falcons had just come off of a season where they went 13-3 but just narrowly missed out on a Superbowl bid. In the offseason, they lost superstar pass rusher John Abraham to the Cardinals and brought in an aging Osi Umenyiora to replace him. With no real juice at the position, I have given them Ansah, who is maybe injury prone but is still a more than solid pass rusher.
23. Minnesota Vikings – Robert Woods – Wide Reciever – USC
Original Pick: Sharif Floyd- Defensive Tackle – Florida
After coming into his own in 2018 by notching his first 1,000-yard season, Woods has shown that he is a very capable receiver. While he may just be a no. 2 receiver, but given the opportunity (with Minnesota in this case), Woods could definitely blossom into that no. 1 role.
24. Indianapolis Colts – Sheldon Richardson- Defensive Tackle – Mizzou
Original Pick: Bjoern Werner: Defensive End- FSU
With no real presence at nose at this time, I have the Colts re-drafting Sheldon Richardson. While he may be a forgotten man now, there was a time when Richardson was thought to be the next great defensive tackle in the NFL. And while that hasn’t come to fruition, Richardson would have offered more to the Colts than the likes of Werner
25. Minnesota Vikings – AJ Bouye – Cornerback – UCF
Original Pick: Xavier Rhoades – Cornerback- FSU
After giving them a solid receiving option, I return once again to the Vikings to give them another shutdown corner. While they may be missing out on netting Rhodes, they still pick a great player in Bouye who should have been drafted.
26. Green Bay Packers – Latavius Murray – Running Back – UCF
Original Pick: Datone Jones – Defensive End – UCLA
To many people, this is probably a very interesting pick, to say the least, but hear me out on this one. Bear in mind this is before the Packers selected Eddie Lacy, and the only other running backs they have on their roster at the time were James Starks and fullback John Kuhn. To me, Murray would be an upgrade over both of them.
27. Houston Texans – Logan Ryan – Cornerback – Rutgers
Original Pick: DeAndre Hopkins – Wide Reciever – Clemson
With not much at the position other than Kareem Jackson, the Texans could have used an upgrade at corner. While yes they would have missed out on Hopkins, Ryan is still a more than capable starter and would have helped bolster the defense.
28. Denver Broncos – Brandon Williams – Defensive Tackle – Missouri Southern State
Original Pick: Sylvester Wiliams- Defensive Tackle – UNC
With a defense in need of a run-stopping defensive tackle, enter Williams. During his time with the Ravens, Wiliams has become one of the better players at his position and would greatly help this Bronco defense.
29. Minnesota Vikings – Jonathan Hankins – Defensive Tackle – Ohio State
Original Pick: Cordarrelle Patterson – Wide Reciever – Tennessee
And for the last first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, I have given them a very good run-stuffer. While I was tempted to keep Floyd with Minnesota, especially considering his level of play. However, given his unfortunate turn with injury, I feel that Hankins would be a safer bet.
30. St. Louis Rams – Larry Warford – Offensive Guard – Kentucky
Original Pick: Alec Ogletree – Linebacker – Georgia
With their first first-round pick, I gave the Rams a dynamic receiving threat. Now with the second, I have given a young Sam Bradford some extra protection along the offensive line, which may have helped his career last a bit longer in St. Louis.
31. Dallas Cowboys – Tony Jefferson – Safety – Oklahoma
Original Pick: Travis Frederick – Center – Wisconsin
As a player who is among a long list of guys who should have been drafted, Jefferson would make a great addition to the Dallas Cowboys. At the time they weren’t particularly great at the safety position, but with Jefferson, they get an impactful and vocal leader on the back end.
32. Baltimore Ravens – Alec Ogletree – Linebacker – Georgia
Original Pick: Matt Elam – Safety – Florida
After the departure of future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis as well as Ed Reed, the Baltimore Ravens need to find replacements in a hurry. Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, the Ravens took safety Matt Elam to replace Reed and later selected linebacker Arthur Brown for Lewis.
Considering that both never really worked out, I have given them Ogletree, who may not be a generational player in his own right, he has still done a more than admirable job at the position.