When was Travis Kelce drafted? Revisiting 2013 NFL Draft

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 1

1. Chiefs: Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
2. Jaguars: Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
3. Dolphins: Dion Jordan, edge, Oregon
4. Eagles: Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
5. Lions: Ezekiel Ansah, edge, BYU
6. Browns: Barkevious Mingo, edge, LSU
7. Cardinals: Jonathan Cooper, G, UNC
8. Rams: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia
9. Jets: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
10. Titans: Chance Warmack, G, Alabama
11. Chargers: D.J. Fluker, OL, Alabama
12. Raiders: D.J. Hayden, CB, Houston
13. Jets: Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
14. Panthers: Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
15. Saints: Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas
16. Bills: EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State
17. Steelers: Jarvin Jones, edge, Georgia
18. 49ers: Eric Reid, S, LSU
19. Giants: Justin Pugh, OL, Syracuse
20. Bears: Kyle Long, G, Oregon
21. Bengals: Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
22. Falcons: Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
23. Vikings: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
24. Colts: Bjoern Werner, edge, Florida State
25. Vikings: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State
26. Packers: Datone Jones, DL, UCLA
27. Texans: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson
28. Broncos: Sylvester Williams, DT, UNC
29. Vikings: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR/RB, Tennessee
30. Rams: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia
31. Cowboys: Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin
32. Ravens: Matt Elam, S, Florida

Round 2

1. Jaguars: Johnathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
2. Titans: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
3. Eagles: Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
4. Lions: Darius Slay, CB, Mississippi State
5. Bengals: Giovani Bernard, RB, UNC
6. Chargers: Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame
7. Jets: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
8. 49ers: Tank Carradine, DL, Florida State
9. Bills: Robert Woods, WR, USC
10. Raiders: Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
11. Buccaneers: Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
12. Panthers: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
13. Cardinals: Kevin Minter, LB, LSU
14. Bills: Kiko Alonso, LB, Oregon
15. Cowboys: Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State
16. Steelers: Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State
17. Giants: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
18. Bears: Jonathan Bostic, LB, Florida
19. Commanders: David Amerson, CB, NC State
20. Patriots: Jamie Collins, LB, Southern Miss
21. Bengals: Margus Hunt, DL, SMU
22. Dolphins: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State
23. 49ers: Vance McDonald, TE, Rice
24. Ravens: Arthur Brown, LB, Kansas State
25. Texans: D.J. Swearinger, S, South Carolina
26. Broncos: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
27. Patriots: Aaron Dobson, WR, Marshall
28. Falcons: Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
29. Packers: Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
30. Seahawks: 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.