The day is finally here folks! Remember when you woke up wide-eyed on Christmas morning? That how I feel right now. The Miami Dolphins will be picking at No.13 after trading down with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Dolphins originally had the No.8 pick. But how has the 13th overall picked fared in the NFL? Let's take a look at the last five players drafted at No.13.
2015 Andrus Peat (Tackle, Stanford)
Peat was drafted by the New Orleans Saints to help solidify their offensive line. He appeared in 12 games as a rookie and started 8 of them. Through the offseason and preseason, the Saints were concerned with Peat's conditioning and he wasn't expected to beat out Zach Strief (right tackle) for the starting job. In week 5, Peat started at left tackle after Terron Armstead was injured. Peat suffered an MCL sprain a week later. The verdict is still out on him after only one year in the league.
2014 Aaron Donald (Defensive Lineman, Pitt)
Donald was drafted by the (St. Louis) Los Angeles Rams. Donald has only been in the league for two years, but he has already made a name for himself. Donald has been wrecking havoc on the league. In his rookie year, he recorded 47 tackles, 9 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. His play earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl and was also awarded the 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In his second season, Donald recorded 69 tackles, 11 sacks, a pass defended, and a fumble recovery. Pretty good selection by the Rams.
2013 Sheldon Richardson (Defensive Lineman, Missouri)
Richardson was drafted by the New York Jets, making him the first defensive tackle off the board. He played in 16 games his rookie year and started 15 of them. He recorded 78 tackles, a pass defended a forced fumble, 3.5 sacks, and 2 rushing touchdowns. Richardson was named 2013 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, edging out Kiko Alonso (Buffalo Bills). Richardson did not make the Pro Bowl as a rookie but he earned it in 2014 with 66 tackles, 8 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 safety enforced. In 2015, Richardson was suspended for the first four games due to failing the league's substance abuse policy related to marijuana.
2012 Michael Floyd (Wide Receiver, Notre Dame)
Floyd was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals to play opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Floyd didn't see much playing time at the beginning of his rookie year, but he gradually got more playing time as the year went on. He recorded 45 receptions for 562 yards and 4 touchdowns his rookie year. In his second year, Floyd recorded 66 receptions, 1041 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Floyd hasn't been able to record 1000 yards since (2014 - 841, 2015 - 849). Floyd enters a contract year and the team has explored for an extension. But there have also been rumors that the team is looking to shop Floyd.
2011 Nick Fairley (Defensive Lineman, Auburn)
Fairley was drafted by the Detroit Lions where he would join Ndamukong Suh on the interior defensive line. Fairley was troubled with inconsistency as a rookie. In 2012, he recorded 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 26 tackles but was placed on injured reserve in December. In 2013, Fairley had a good season with 35 tackles, 6 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. In 2015, Fairley would go on to sign with the Rams and would end up with a career-high 63 tackles (31 solo), a split sack, two passes defended and one fumble recovery. Sadly, Fairly would end up on injured reserve again. Fairley signed with the Saints this offseason to a one-year deal.
Donald and Richardson are the obvious stars here. Maybe the Dolphins will draft the next Defensive Rookie of the Year tonight. The draft is always a big gamble, but it always excites. Can't wait for tonight!