1 Thought on Every 2013 Packers Draft Pick

The 2013 NFL Draft was supposed to be a turning point for the Green Bay Packers. Their official website even went as far to report they were going to shed their identity as a pass-happy team and focus on defense and running the ball.

How’d that work out for them?

Only one player remains on the Packers heading into this season from the 2013 draft class, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a failure. With the benefit of hindsight, here’s a quick thought on each of the Packers’ picks that season:

Round 1, Pick 26: DE Datone Jones, UCLA

2017 Team: Minnesota Vikings

Green Bay’s decision to not make much of an effort to re-sign Datone Jones this offseason was puzzling, based on precedent. The Packers have typically brought back underachieving, high-end defensive draft picks, like Mike Neal and Nick Perry, on a one- or two-year deal. Right now, we don’t know whether Jones left without entertaining an offer from the Packers or if the Packers weren’t interested in keeping him on the roster.

Round 2, Pick 61: RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama

2017 Team: Seattle Seahawks

What a difference a draft makes. Heading into free agency, it appeared as if the Packers had no choice but to re-sign Lacy to a short, one-year deal. Three months later, Lacy is an afterthought due to the arrival of rookies Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones and Devante Mays. It’s too early to know whether Green Bay made the right decision to move on from Lacy, but it is clear they certainly have moved on.

Round 4, Pick 109: LT David Bakhtiari, Colorado

2017 Team: Green Bay Packers

The top two selections in 2013 were both left tackles – Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel. Neither are as good as Bakhtiari. In a draft class many believed to be rich in offensive linemen, Bakhtiari is the only tackle as of 2017 to have made a Pro Bowl. It’s not too outlandish to think this draft pick may be the second-best selection of Ted Thompson’s career, after Aaron Rodgers.

Round 4, Pick 122: C JC Tretter, Cornell

2017 Team: Cleveland Browns

Injuries cost Packers fans the opportunity to enjoy Tretter’s game for more than the ten starts he made over four years. In today’s NFL, an ultra-flexible offensive lineman is one of the most valuable roster pieces. Tretter can play tackle, guard and center – and all at a high level when healthy.

Round 4, Pick 125: RB Johnathan Franklin, UCLA

2017 Team: Retired

One year before Brett Hundley was selected by the Packers in the fifth-round, writer Ty Dunne asked him if Johnathan Franklin was the best running back in the draft. "I have no doubt about it," Hundley said. "He's going to be a Pro Bowler, a Hall of Famer, all of that." After his playing career ended because of a neck injury, Franklin worked for the Packers, Notre Dame and returned to Los Angeles in 2016 to work with the Rams.

Round 5, Pick 159: DB Micah Hyde, Iowa

2017 Team: Buffalo Bills

Micah Hyde has great timing. His standout performance in the postseason earned him every bit of the five-year, $30 million contract he signed with Buffalo this offseason. Hyde had the luxury of being an under-the-radar weapon for the Packers. When the defense was at full strength, Green Bay didn’t need Hyde to be a game-changer every week. The Bills are paying him with the expectation he will do so.

Round 5, Pick 167: DT Josh Boyd, Mississippi St.

2017 Team: Indianapolis Colts

Josh Boyd should send his agent a thank you card for getting him a spot on the Indianapolis Colts roster heading into training camp. He suffered a gruesome injury with the Packers in September 2015 and was released by the team in May 2016. After missing the 2016-2017 season, Boyd is back in the league and on the Colts’ roster. Fifth-round picks rarely get second chances like he has.

Round 6, Pick 193: LB Nate Palmer, Illinois St.

2017 Team: Tennessee Titans

If you’ve ever wondered just how thorough the Packers front office is about scouting small schools, consider 2013. Green Bay went into training camp with three players from Illinois State that season. Along with Palmer, they signed quarterback Matt Brown and safety Ben Ericksen to free agent contracts. Only Palmer would make the 53-man roster.

Round 7, Pick 216: WR Charles Johnson, Grand Valley St.

2017 Team: Carolina Panthers

The Packers signed Johnson to their practice squad after preseason, and he was plucked by the Cleveland Browns in October to join their 53-man roster. The Browns bungled the proceedings, signing Johnson before conducting a routine physical. During the physical, Cleveland doctors discovered Johnson had a torn ACL, ending his season. Because Johnson had already signed his contract, the Browns were not able to return him to the Packers. Had they conducted the physical before he signed the contract, the way these proceedings normally happen, Johnson would have been returned to the Packers.

Round 7, Pick 224: WR Kevin Dorsey, Maryland

2017 Team: Retired

When an athlete is drafted, it’s common practice for them to splurge on a splashy purchase. For those with massive signing bonuses, it’s sometimes a new house for their parents or a fancy car. Shortly after Kevin Dorsey was drafted, he bought this Chevy Impala. I endorse this decision.

Round 7, Pick 232: LB Sam Barrington, USF

2017 Team: Free Agent

In over three seasons with the Packers, Barrington did not make near as great of an impact on the field as he did off of it. He was Green Bay’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, was honored with the Pop Warner Humanitarian Award, and last June received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.