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theramswire.usatoday.com]
Aaron Donald named best 13th overall pick since 2006
Cameron DaSilva
June 13, 2021 5:01 am PT
Aaron Donald is rarely included on a list where he isn’t at the top or at least near it. The best pass rushers in the NFL? Yeah, Donald is No. 1. The best defenders? Donald is No. 1 again.
And when looking at recent draft history, Donald is unquestionably one of the best picks of the last decade. Pro Football Focus ranked the best pick at each draft slot in the first round since 2006 and at No. 13, it was an easy decision to make.
Donald, who was drafted in 2014, was the pick for PFF’s Michael Renner – and it wasn’t particularly close.
While Watt may have had a higher peak, Donald has seen more sustained dominance in his NFL career. He’s led all interior defenders in quarterback pressures each of the past five seasons.
The 13th pick has been a hot spot for quality players, too. Since 2006, seven players drafted at No. 13 have made at least one Pro Bowl, with all of those players being drafted between 2008 and 2016.
That group includes Laremy Tunsil, Andrus Peat, Donald, Sheldon Richardson, Brandon Graham, Brian Orakpo and Jonathan Stewart. The Chargers took Rashawn Slater at No. 13 overall, so they hope he turns out as well as some of the recent picks at that spot.
