Jim Kelly was drafted No. 14 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1983 NFL Draft out of Miami. 160 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 103 career approximate value
- Overall pick
- #14
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 1983
- NFL games
- 160
- Years as starter
- 11
- Career AV
- 1037th at Miami
- Pro Bowls
- 5
- All-Pro
- 1
The pick
How Jim Kelly came off the board in 1983.
- Position
- Quarterback QB
- College
-
Miami
ACC at the draft
- Side of the ball
- Offense
NFL career
160 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 103 career approximate value
- Games played
- 160
- Seasons as a starter
- 11
- Career approximate value
- 1037th among Miami picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 103100% of career value
- Final season
- 199613 years after the draft
- Accolades
- Hall of Fame · 1× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl
Around pick 14
Who came off the board on either side of Jim Kelly.
Notre Dame
Florida
Illinois College
Alabama
Miami in the 1983 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Other QB picks from Miami
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Jim Kelly in the 1983 NFL Draft
Jim Kelly is a Quarterback out of Miami selected No. 14 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1983 NFL Draft. 160 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 103 career approximate value Miami has produced 265 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Jim Kelly drafted?
Jim Kelly was selected No. 14 overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1983 NFL Draft (Rd 1). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1983/jim-kelly.
What college did Jim Kelly play for?
Jim Kelly played college football at Miami in the ACC. See every Miami draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/miami-hurricanes.
How did Jim Kelly's NFL career turn out?
160 regular-season games · 11 seasons as a starter · 103 career approximate value Accolades: Hall of Fame · 1× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/1983/jim-kelly.