Over the years, the NFL draft has transformed into an intriguing event, largely due to the entertainment value brought by Mel Kiper Jr. He began his career in 1984 and rapidly became a well-known figure on television during the draft. Numerous people disagreed with his stance, such as Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Tobin.
By 1994, the NFL draft had gained significant popularity, with Mel Kiper appearing consistently for more than ten years. The entertainment aspect had increased significantly, but that year it truly skyrocketed when Kiper criticized the Indianapolis Colts for making a huge error.
Mel Kiper’s tirade ignited conflict with Colts GM.
As per Mel Kiper, the Indianapolis Colts had no choice but to select a quarterback in the 1994 NFL draft, specifically Trent Dilfer.
The Colts had finished the previous season with a record of 4-12, and Kiper believed they should part ways with Jim Harbaugh to have a chance to pick a new QB in the draft. Heath Shuler was chosen with the third overall pick, yet the Colts could have still picked Dilfer at fifth overall.
Rather, they decided to select linebacker Trev Alberts from Nebraska, and Mel Kiper criticized them for it:
“I think it’s a typical Colt move, I mean here’s a team that needed a franchise quarterback, there are two out there and they have a chance at two, and they don’t take them. They take an outside linebacker. To pass up a Trent Dilfer when all you have is Jim Harbaugh. Give me a break, that’s why the Colts are picking second every year in the draft.”
While sitting down to talk about the pick, the Colts GM Bill Tobin famously said:
“Who the hell is Mel Kiper anyway?”
Tobin continued: “All of a sudden he’s an expert, he’s in our papers telling us who we have to take. We don’t have to take anybody that Mel Kiper says we have to take. Mel Kiper has no more credentials than my neighbour, and my neighbours a postman.”
While an awkward moment on the air, it was a moment that added even more of an entertainment factor to the NFL draft. Since 1994, it’s continued to grow exponentially, and Mel Kiper is still a major contributor to the broadcast.
How it all played out with Trev Alberts
Kiper was critical of the Indianapolis Colts sticking with Jim Harbaugh, and it didn’t quite work out for him. The following season, Indianapolis went 9-7 in the regular season before making it all the way to the AFC Championship game with Harbaugh at quarterback.
He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, throwing 17 touchdowns in the regular season and another four in the playoffs. The Colts had Marshall Faulk at running back, which made a big difference to their offense, and they made it back to the playoffs again the following season.
While Harbaugh turned things around, Kiper was right about one thing. The decision to draft Trev Alberts was a poor one. He spent just three seasons in the NFL, with injuries playing a major role in his professional career.
In three seasons, he managed just four total sacks before he retired from the NFL in 1996.
Trent Dilfer went on to win a Super Bowl ring. He wasn’t considered a high-quality NFL quarterback, but he stepped in for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2000 season and managed the offense well enough to help them claim a Super Bowl title. He was named a one-time Pro Bowler in 1997, spending a total of 14 seasons in the NFL.
When he retired, Dilfer had thrown 113 career touchdowns to 129 career interceptions.