Miami Dolphins hoping lucky 13 can provide another great player in draft
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are drafting in the 13th spot of Aprils NFL Draft and if history has shown us anything it’s that the Dolphins find luck with unlucky 13.
When the Miami Dolphins are on the clock next month they will either draft at 13 or trade down. They may not stay on the board at 13 and move up but if they do, history is on their side. Just ask Dan Marino.
Marino of course is the most popular 13 in Dolphins history and his number in not only retired but it sits on the interior ring of Hard Rock Stadium reminding everyone just how lucky 13 was. This however is not about Dan Marino but instead about the 13th overall pick in the draft and what the Dolphins have done previously when selecting here.
Miami has selected three players 13th overall in their history. One of them became one of the best linebackers in Dolphins history, one is trying to become one of the best left tackles in Dolphins history, and the other? We will get to what he could have been.
The last time the Dolphins selected at 13 they watched Laremy Tunsil drop from the number one consensus overall pick and out of the top 10. By now we all know of that gas-mask pot smoking video that was released only minutes before the draft started in 2016.
Tunsil’s fall was Miami’s gain and he is quickly becoming one of the best in the NFL. Needless to say that lucky 13 reared it’s head in favor of the Dolphins.
In 1977 the Dolphins drafted A.J. Duhe 13th overall. He went to have a brilliant career with the Dolphins playing until 1984 before injuries forced his exit from the league. Still to this day, Duhe is remembered for his great playoff game against the Jets when he almost single handedly destroyed the Jets offense.
In 1981 the Miami Dolphins drafted David Overstreet at 13. It would prove not only unlucky for the Dolphins but Overstreet’s life as well. A contract dispute with Miami led to Overstreet going North to play in the CFL. For two seasons he would play there before joining the Dolphins who still owned his NFL rights.
Overstreet played only one season in Miami. In 1984 he was driving outside of Tyler, Texas when his car swerved off the road into a gas station pump. He was killed in the explosion.
How will this year’s drafting at number 13 play out? That depends on who they select and if in fact they stay put at 13 or move down. Trading down may be just as lucky for the Dolphins who are trying to acquire more picks in the 2020 draft. So perhaps that is the luck Miami will find.