Is pick 13 actually lucky in the NFL Draft?

2021: Rashawn Slater (Chargers)

Being selected immediately after Micah Parsons is a little unfair, but the Northwestern star proved up to the task. Slater has been a staple on the Chargers’ offensive line, serving as a full-time starter protecting Justin Herbert. He was a second-team All-Pro during his rookie campaign, and is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued Slater for a solid chunk of his career, and he is coming off a torn patellar tendon which cost him the entire 2025 season.

2022: Jordan Davis (Eagles)

Like most picks Howie Roseman and the Eagles have made in recent years, the Jordan Davis selection was a home run. The former Georgia star is a key anchor of Philly’s defensive line and is coming off a season where he set career highs in combined tackles (72), sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (9). Davis was also a pivotal part of the Eagles’ second Super Bowl win during the 2024 season. He’s also got some sneaky good wheels — Rams fans might wanna look away before watching the clip below. Davis signed a three-year, $78 million extension this offseason to solidify his future in Philadelphia for years to come.

2023: Lukas Van Ness (Packers)

Man, did the Packers whiff on this pick. In a draft where Green Bay could’ve boldly started its new era with Jordan Love by giving him some help like Jaxson Smith-Njigba, the team opted for Van Ness. He’s mostly been a rotational player, with only two starts to his name in 43 games played. The Ex-Hawkeye hasn’t played 50% of his team’s stats on defense in any of his first three seasons. He’s only the latest entry on a LONG list of Packers defensive draft picks who have stunk it up in the pros.

2024: Brock Bowers (Raiders)

Perhaps the best of this grouping of the No. 13 pick club. Bowers was a revelation in Year 1, earning first-team All-Pro honors and setting an NFL record for most receptions by a rookie (112), a mark set the previous season by the Rams’ Puka Nacua. He additionally set the league record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (1,194), shattering Hall of Famer Mike Ditka’s 1961 record. Injuries limited him to 12 games in ’25, but every time he took the field, he instantly made an impact, even though the silver and black were godawful. Incoming Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza is going to love lobbing passes to his new security blanket.

2025: Kenneth Grant (Dolphins)

Grant was the most recent No. 13 pick in the NFL draft. He played in all 17 games during his rookie campaign, starting five, finishing with 33 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks and five QB hits. A slow start was cast aside by his strong finish to the year. While his numbers were largely underwhelming on paper, there’s a strong chance he could flourish under Miami’s new defensive-minded head coach, Jeff Hafley. With fellow youngsters like Chop Robinson and Jonah Savaiinaea playing alongside Grant on the defensive line, the Dolphins might have enough pieces to field a competent D in 2026. Given the state of the team’s bare bones roster, especially on offense, they can use all the help they can get.