Arizona Cardinals: History of the 13th Pick and What It Could Mean for the Cards

The first two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft are all but set in stone. Beginning with the No. 3 pick, however, things are as cluttered as they have ever been in the days and weeks leading up to the draft.

There are fewer players who are considered to be a “sure thing” available to teams this go-round, but there will still be some good talent left when the Arizona Cardinals are on the clock at No. 13.

The number 13 is often associated with negativity and superstition. We all just lived through another “Friday the 13^th,” and nothing crazy happened. It was a nice Friday, actually. When it comes to the NFL Draft, however, the number 13 is not a bad thing. In fact, it is often a good thing. Great, even.

Today, we will look at who has been taken at No. 13 in past drafts and what that means for the Cardinals.

(Note: Player positions are reflective of what they were drafted as, respectively, and do not take into account position changes.)

Which positions have been picked the most?

Position: Defensive end (6)

Defensive ends have led the way with six players being taken at No. 13 since 1992. Some notable players are Joe Johnson, John Abraham, Kamerion Wimbley and Brian Orakpo.

Johnson (1994) went to two Pro Bowls with the Saints in his nine-year career. Abraham (2000) has been to four Pro Bowls with the Jets and Falcons and has accumulated 112 sacks over the first twelve years of his career (ProFootballReference). Wimbley (2006) just signed a five-year, $35 million contract with the Titans and is a pass-rushing force to be reckoned with. Orakpo (2009) has already been to two Pro Bowls in his first four seasons with the Redskins, and will likely have the pleasure of attending another before his playing days are through.

Quick look: The Arizona defense finished No. 7 in the NFL with 42 sacks in 2011. An elite pass rusher would take defensive coordinator Ray Horton’s scheme to the next level and there are two in particular who would fit perfectly into that scheme. Melvin Ingram of South Carolina and Courtney Upshaw of Alabama could still be on the board at No. 13, and either would help the Cardinals’ ever-improving pass rush.

Both Ingram and Upshaw would be drafted to play the outside linebacker position in the 3-4 defense employed by Arizona.

Positions: Offensive tackle, defensive tackle and wide receiver (3 each)

Tied with three picks each, there are a number of great players here.

Offensive tackle: Brad Hopkins ('93) and Jammal Brown ('05) both made two Pro Bowls each. Hopkins played his entire career with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans, playing in 194 games while starting 188 over a 13-year career. Brown made his two Pro Bowls with New Orleans, but is now a member of the Redskins’ offensive line.

Quick look: This pick is the one most expect to happen for Arizona at No. 13, depending on who is available. Jonathan Martin of Stanford has been in many mock drafts, as well as Riley Reiff of Iowa. Even Cordy Glenn of Georgia (who can play both tackle and guard) has been mocked into the No. 13 spot for the Cardinals.

Defensive tackle: Marcus Stroud ('01) went to three Pro Bowls during his career, all with Jacksonville, while Adam Carriker ('07) recently signed a four-year, $20 million deal to remain in Washington.

At one point, Stroud was considered one of the best defensive linemen in the league, frequently plugging up running lanes with his 6’6”, 312-pound frame. Carriker is enjoying a fresh start after two disappointing years in St. Louis and missing the entire 2009 season due to injury. He just enjoyed the best season of his five-year career, recording 5.5 sacks from the defensive end position in his second year in Washington.

Quick look: With the Cardinals using a first-round pick on Dan Williams in the 2010 draft and with 2011 sixth-round pick David Carter getting significant playing time after Williams broke his arm last season, there is little need for a defensive tackle at all in this draft, let alone in the first round.

Wide receiver: Troy Edwards ('99), Donte Stallworth ('02) and Lee Evans ('04) have no Pro Bowl appearances of which to speak. Edwards is out of football, but caught 203 passes for 2,404 yards and 11 TD during his seven-year career.

Both Stallworth and Evans continue to work. New England added Stallworth through free agency, but Evans was released by Baltimore after only one season with the Ravens; a season in which he was a complete non-factor on the field.

Quick look: The Cardinals have a big need for a No. 2 receiver and one man they’re eying is Michael Floyd out of Notre Dame. Floyd would be a great addition to the offense should he be there at No. 13, and some people believe he is at least as good as—if not better than—his wide-receiving counterpart, Justin Blackmon.

Which positions have been picked the fewest?

Five positions have not been selected at No. 13 in the past 20 years of the NFL Draft. Quarterbacks, offensive guards, centers as well as free and strong safeties have all been avoided and that trend should continue in 2012.

Positions: Linebacker (2), running back, cornerback and tight end (1 each)

One first-ballot Hall of Fame tight end, one well-traveled linebacker and a shared-time running back highlight this list of former No. 13 overall draftees.

Linebacker: Mark Fields ('95) and Takeo Spikes ('98) are your picks here. Fields played nine years in the league, recording 34.5 sacks and 585 total tackles for New Orleans, St. Louis and Carolina. He went to two Pro Bowls.

Spikes has gotten around in the NFL. In his 14-year stint in the league, he has been with five teams—the latest being San Diego. He has played both inside and outside linebacker throughout his career, leading to 28.5 sacks and 962 total tackles over that time.

Quick look: Arizona could use some youth at the inside linebacker position. Daryl Washington is entering his third season and is very young, but Paris Lenon—the other starter—is now 35 years old and on his way out the door. Reggie Walker has been re-signed, but he is no threat to start.

The Cardinals brought in Stewart Bradley last offseason as a free-agent signee, and other than two or three great special teams plays, he has not been able to make an impact. Luke Kuechly could be an option if he’s there at No. 13 and if other, more important players are gone.

Running back: Jonathan Stewart ('08) shares the offensive backfield with DeAngelo Williams (and Cam Newton, to a degree). Stewart has been a successful runner throughout his career, averaging 4.8 yards per carry through four NFL seasons. In 2011, he developed into a weapon in the passing game, as well, catching 47 passes for 413 yards and one TD.

Stewart also set a career-high in 2011, gaining 5.4 yards per carry. He has not been named to a Pro Bowl as of yet, but if he ever is able to carry the load for a franchise he just may get there. Sharing carries the way he does will not allow him the statistics to be recognized as a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

Quick look: Beanie Wells rushed for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2011, and last year’s second-round pick, Ryan Williams, is set to return from a knee injury. Unless a certain back from Alabama falls to No. 13, allowing Arizona to trade down for about five picks, no running back will be taken here.

Cornerback: Walt Harris ('96) enjoyed a nice, long NFL career. He played with four franchises, scattered 35 interceptions over his 13 seasons and made one Pro Bowl with San Francisco in 2006. That season, Harris picked off eight passes, gathered two fumble recoveries and scored a defensive touchdown.

Quick look: It is highly unlikely that a cornerback is the pick here for Arizona. They just drafted Patrick Peterson at No. 5 overall in 2011, Greg Toler is returning from his own knee injury and A.J. Jefferson, though thrust into a starting role as an inexperienced second-year corner in 2011, showed signs that he can be a solid NFL player.

Tight end: Can you guess which 12-time Pro Bowler and future first-ballot HOFer was a No. 13 overall pick? I’ll bet the Chiefs fans know.

Tony Gonzalez ('97) has caught 1,149 passes for 13,338 yards and 95 touchdowns over his 15-year Hall of Fame career. All of those statistics are NFL records for a tight end. Simply put—he is the best tight end to ever play the game of football.

Quick look: Tight end is not a need for the Cardinals this year, as Todd Heap will return, Jeff King showed he can be a receiving threat and 2011 rookie Rob Housler is thought to be the tight end of the very near future for Arizona. That, and no tight end will be taken that high in 2012. It’s rare to see one gone before the 20^th pick, and none of the prospects are good enough to be worthy of a top-20 selection.