We are one week away from the first round of the NFL Draft taking place at Lambeau Field. The Tennessee Titans have been on the clock since January, and it seems their choice is clear: Cam Ward, the quarterback from Miami, who will be the 40th quarterback in history to be selected first overall and the third Miami Hurricane to go first overall. But after the first pick, there are 256 more across the seven rounds of the draft, and there are always surprises with players who stand out in later rounds, like Tom Brady with the 199th pick, Roger Staubach with the 129th, Johnny Unitas with the 102nd, and more recently Puka Nacua with the 177th and Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy with the 257th.
The Night Between Kelce and Kansas City
With the draft so close, NFL teams often share memories on their accounts of their current superstars being selected, with reactions from draft headquarters or with their families and friends. That’s what the Chiefs did, sharing a video of the player with the most touchdown receptions (77) in franchise history and Taylor Swift’s boyfriend – I don’t know if you know him – Travis Kelce. The Chiefs shared footage of the historic night in 2013, when they selected Kelce with the 63rd pick in the third round. Watch the historic night that changed Kansas City history forever.
There he is, a 23-year-old Travis Kelce at his parents’ house reacting to being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. That third-round selection, despite KC holding the first overall pick for the first and only time in history, became one of the NFL’s biggest steals. Now a three-time Super Bowl champion, Kelce has missed just five games (including the playoffs) since his rookie season and owns postseason records for receptions (174), 100-plus receiving yard games (9), games with a touchdown (15) and single-season tight end yards (1,416). Entering his 13th and likely final season, Kelce’s legacy is secure both on and off the field, with Taylor Swift by his side and TV/acting opportunities ahead.
The Chiefs are the current dynasty in the NFL, the team to beat, coming off a somewhat humiliating loss in Super Bowl 59 but having won three championships in the last six seasons. Part of their success comes from how well they’ve used the draft, from the decision to take Patrick Mahomes via trade with the Bills in the 2017 draft to last year’s selection of Xavier Worthy, who became the first rookie to catch two touchdown passes in a Super Bowl.
Historic Third Round Draft Picks
As I mentioned, there are 256 picks after the first overall pick, and there are always surprises. But taking advantage of the fact that we are talking about Kelce and his third-round selection, here are the best third-round picks in draft history along with him:
- Dan Fouts (Pick 64) – Chargers 1973
- Joe Montana (82) – 49ers 1979
- Terrell Owens (89) – 49ers 1996
- Steve Smith Sr. (74) – Panthers 2001
- Jason Witten (69) – Cowboys 2003
- Russell Wilson (75) – Seahawks 2012
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