John Elway. Dan Marino. Jim Kelly. All members of the famous 1983 NFL draft class that featured six quarterbacks taken in the first round, an unprecedented feat. Those six quarterbacks combined to win two Super Bowl titles, and three of them had their names recorded in Canton, Ohio in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Now, thirty years later in 2013, we are celebrating the thirty-year anniversary of that historic draft, and, unfortunately, that draft is making more headlines then this year’s draft. Analysts and fans alike agree that this past years draft was mostly a dud. Unlike in year’s pasts, this year’s draft was not met with the same hype and anticipation. There is, however, still much to analyze and take away from the 2013 NFL Draft. Like any draft, there were surprises, big questions, and teams that walked away as winners or losers.
In most drafts, the top pick is known well ahead of the actual event, whether the information comes through expert analysis or through an official announcement of the team picking first. In 2008, offensive tackle Jake Long, from the University of Michigan, signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins days before the actual draft, making him the top pick. Last year, both the number one and two picks were well-known, as quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III went back-to-back to kick off the draft.
In the 2013 draft, however, the top pick was not really known until the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell, announced it the evening the draft started. While analysts had a good idea leading up to the night, many had changed their predictions just hours before the draft as Jake Fisher of Central Michigan went number one overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. Luke Joeckel, who was anticipated as the number one pick, went second to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Both the Chiefs and the Jaguars were in need of a quarterback, yet, in what was one of the biggest storylines heading into the draft, quarterbacks were scarce and not highly talented. There were, still, a few quarterbacks who were scouted as possible first round picks, such as West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith. But with other, better talent available, Smith kept falling and falling. He, in fact, wasn’t even picked in the first round, having to wait until the second day when the New York Jets finally picked him up.
EJ Manuel, of Florida State, was the sole quarterback chosen in the first round. A surprise by the Buffalo Bills, at number sixteen, Manuel went ahead of other quarterbacks such as Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, and Ryan Nassib.
The first round became known for its scarcity of not only quarterbacks, but also of overall offensive skill players. There was a subsequent spotlight on other positions and players. Offensive and defensive lineman, for instance, dominated the early first round, as nine of the first fourteen picks were of linemen on either side of the ball. Overall, defensive players became the majority of players picked on the first night of the NFL Draft.
While this year’s draft was lackluster, there were still a few surprises that did shocked even the experts, such as the EJ Manuel situation. First, while Manuel is talented, West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith was a more recruited and anticipated player. Overall, Smith is more talented and picking Manuel that high is a bit of a risk. Second, if the Bills did want a quarterback, Ryan Nassib of Syracuse may have been better fit later on, as he played under current Bills head coach Doug Marrone while in college.
Other surprises included Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, known for the now infamous fake girlfriend scandal, being selected early in the second round by the San Diego Chargers. Other notable picks included USC quarterback Matt Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles, former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson to the Jackson Jaguars, and former Husker favorite Rex Burkhead to the Cincinnati Bengals.
As for the winners and losers of the 2013 NFL Draft, there were a couple of teams for both sides. Winners included, most notably, the St. Louis Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. First, the Rams helped equip their own number one overall pick Sam Bradford with essential weapons on the offensive side of the ball by drafting West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin, a top tier prospect. They also picked up Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree and Alabama center Barret Jones, helping prepare themselves for a tough season in an exceptional division.
Division rival San Francisco also had a great draft, ensuring themselves another good season with a possible return to the Super Bowl. The 49ers picked up key players at key spots, filling holes left open by departing players. Noted picks include LSU safety Eric Reid and South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore.
The losers, on the other hand, didn’t have such a good draft and the Dallas Cowboys were definitely losers. Leaving both fans and analysts shaking their heads, the Cowboys poorly executed their draft, passing on solid prospects and reaching instead for inexperienced, risky players. With the pressure that surrounds one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, the Cowboys couldn’t afford to have a bad draft, and, come season time, they’ll pay for it.
The circus that is the New York Jets only got crazier. After coming a game short of the Super Bowl twice just a few short years ago, the Jets have become progressively worse, leaving players like quarterback Mark Sanchez on the hot seat. The Jets how now pulled top quarterback pick Geno Smith into the middle of the mess at the quarterback position, and have left their team management with a tough decision. Will they get rid of Sanchez and insert Smith? Will they give Sanchez another chance? How will fans react? Only time will tell.
The 2013 NFL Draft may be remembered as a dull and largely unexciting event. While there were a few surprises, it, honestly, was something of a dud. It does, however, only make the wait for next season seem even longer. With this draft, fans, for the first time, now have a good idea of each team’s outlook for next year. Seeing the impact by all these incoming rookies will be exciting, and the eagerness of fans across the league will likely be unmatched heading into this coming season. All we can do now is wait.
