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The final pick of this year’s NFL Draft was once again given the infamous “Mr. Irrelevant” title.
“Mr. Irrelevant” has long been overlooked, but Brock Purdy reshaped the narrative by becoming the starting quarterback and guiding the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance.
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Buffalo Bulls linebacker Red Murdock plays in the third quarter of a college football game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Columbia Missouri, September 7, 2024. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)
On Saturday, the Broncos used the 257th pick on former Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock, who recorded 142 tackles — the second most in the nation — along with 13.5 tackles for loss.
In 1976, Kelvin Kirk became the first player to receive the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant”. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected the wide receiver with the No. 487 pick in an era where the draft stretched beyond today’s seven rounds.
Red Murdock of the Buffalo Bulls speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana on February 25, 2026. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Paul Salata, a former NFL player credited with coining the “Mr. Irrelevant” nickname, emphasized the significance behind the tradition.
“We established Irrelevant Week to send an important message home – that being selected last in the NFL Draft is not a negative; rather, it is an honor to be drafted at all,” Salata says, according to the “Mr. Irrelevant” website. “This last draft pick’s display of perseverance is a lesson that resonates not only with NFL players and fans, but with people everywhere.”
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Purdy has cemented himself as the 49ers’ starter. Last year, he signed a five-year extension reportedly worth up to $265 million. According to ESPN, the deal includes $181 million in guarantees.
Murdock has a long way to go if he hopes to match anything close to Purdy’s success, but that trajectory offers a blueprint for him — and future “Mr. Irrelevant” picks.
Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) rushes the ball against Buffalo Bulls linebacker Red Murdock (2) during the first half at Huskie Stadium on Sept. 21, 2024. (Mike Dinovo/Imagn Images)
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“Mr. Irrelevant” has been number 257 in each of the past three years.
