NFL Draft Sees New “Mr. Irrelevant” Pick

The final selection of this year’s NFL Draft has been dubbed “Mr. Irrelevant” once again. Interestingly, Brock Purdy, previously known by this title, changed the narrative by rising to become the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, even leading them to the Super Bowl.

This past Saturday, the Denver Broncos selected former Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock with the No. 257 pick. Murdock had an impressive college career, racking up 142 tackles, which was the second highest nationally, along with 13.5 tackles for loss.

It’s worth noting that the moniker “Mr. Irrelevant” has a history stretching back to 1976 when Kelvin Kirk became the first player to carry that title after being picked 487th by the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a draft format that was quite different from today’s seven-round approach.

Paul Salata, who coined the term “Mr. Irrelevant,” emphasized the significance of this tradition. He mentioned, “I created ‘Irrelevant Week’ to share that being the last pick isn’t a slight; it’s an honor to be drafted at all.” This seems to resonate with many people beyond just football fans.

Brock Purdy has solidified his role as the 49ers’ quarterback. He recently signed a five-year contract extension that could be worth up to $265 million, with $181 million of that guaranteed. It’s a significant achievement, no doubt.

However, Murdock has a long path ahead if he hopes to mirror Purdy’s success. Still, his journey might offer valuable lessons for future “Mr. Irrelevant” selections. Football, like many things, can be unpredictable.

Interestingly, the “Mr. Irrelevant” title has been in the spotlight recently, as it has had its share of noteworthy names over the years, prompting discussions about what it truly means to be the last pick in the draft.