Brock Purdy was selected as Mr. Irrelevant in 2022.

Jim Finn, Mr. Irrelevant of the 1999 NFL Draft, and Super Bowl XLII champion
Ryan Succop, Mr. Irrelevant of the 2009 NFL Draft and Super Bowl LV champion

Mr. Irrelevant is the nickname given to the person who is drafted with the very last overall pick in the NFL Draft, as a disreputable reference to how the public and teams evaluate their skill level. Most players drafted with the very last draft pick do not go on to complete storied or notable careers. Often times a player chosen with this pick is released from the team that drafted them before preseason or training camps begin. Some notable exceptions include Tyrone McGriff, Ryan Succop, and Brock Purdy.

History

"Mr. Irrelevant" and "Irrelevant Week" began in 1976 when former USC and NFL receiver Paul Salata founded the event in Newport Beach, California. He announced the final pick of each NFL Draft until 2013; from 2014 his daughter took over in announcing the pick. After each draft, the new Mr. Irrelevant and his family are invited to spend a week during the summer in Newport Beach. A trip to Disneyland, a golf tournament, a regatta, a roast giving advice to the new draftee, and a ceremony awarding him the Lowsman Trophy are included. The trophy mimics the Heisman Trophy but depicts a player fumbling a football.[1]

"Irrelevant Week" gave so much publicity to "Mr. Irrelevant" that in 1979 the Los Angeles Rams, with the penultimate pick, intentionally passed to let the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the last pick, choose first. The Steelers also wanted the publicity and passed as well. The two teams continued to refuse to choose a player until NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle forced the teams to pick, with the Steelers winning the pick. The incident led to the "Salata Rule", which prohibits teams from passing to get the final pick.[2]

The first Mr. Irrelevant to play in the Super Bowl was Marty Moore, a special teams player drafted last in 1994, who played with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.[3]

The first Mr. Irrelevant to make the Pro Bowl was Bill Fischer, who was the last pick in the 1948 NFL Draft. He was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals after his junior season at Notre Dame. He opted to stay in school, and won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman in 1948. The Cardinals drafted him again in 1949, this time with their first-round pick.

The last player chosen in the 1961 NFL Draft, Jacque MacKinnon, had a successful 10-season career. However he signed with the San Diego Chargers of the rival American Football League instead of with the Philadelphia Eagles. He appeared in two AFL All-Star Games in 1966 and 1968. He was one of only two Mr. Irrelevants to appear in a Pro Bowl or the equivalent.

Prior to the establishment of Mr. Irrelevant, Jimmy Walker was the final pick in the 1967 NFL Draft, despite never having played college football. His main sport, however, was basketball, in which he was a consensus All-American and the nation's leading scorer as a senior at Providence College. Walker was the first pick in the 1967 NBA draft, and opted for a career in the NBA.[4]

Notable selections

Since the NFL draft was cut to its current seven-round format in 1994, players presented with this dubious honor have more often succeeded in making the team that drafted them, with some making significant contributions.

  • Tyrone McGriff was perhaps the most successful Mr. Irrelevant from the pre-1994 era. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the last pick of the 12th round in 1980. He made the 1980 NFL All-Rookie Team, and played two more seasons for the Steelers. In 1983, he moved on to the Michigan Panthers of the upstart United States Football League. He won a league championship ring that year, as well as a spot on the USFL All-Star Team.
  • John Tuggle started five games as a fullback his rookie year, and was named the 1983 New York Giants Special Teams Player of the Year. However, during the 1984 training camp, he was diagnosed with cancer. He never played again, and died in 1986.
  • Marty Moore, a special teams player, became the first Mr. Irrelevant to play in a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI and first Mr. Irrelevant to win a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI.[5]
  • Mike Green played a significant role in the Chicago Bears secondary in the 2000s, and played from 2000 to 2008.[6]
  • Jim Finn was on the roster as a fullback for the New York Giants on their victory in Super Bowl XLII. Prior to the 2007 season, Finn was placed on injured reserve and never played a game for the Giants on their road to the Super Bowl that year, having been replaced by Madison Hedgecock. He had been the Giants fullback for four seasons.[7]
  • Ryan Succop, the 2009 designee, became the starting kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. He went on to tie the NFL record for highest field goal percentage by a rookie in a season with 86.2 percent, and also passed NFL Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud for most field goals made by a rookie in Chiefs history. Succop was awarded the Mack Lee Hill Award that year.[8] He has been a starting kicker since his rookie season. Succop moved on to the Tennessee Titans for the 2014 season and was signed to a contract extension in early 2018 before being released in March 2020 and signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in early September. He proceeded to win Super Bowl LV with the team, becoming the second Mr. Irrelevant to win an NFL championship, and first to play and win a Super Bowl as a starter and an active player.
  • Chad Kelly, the 2017 designee and former Ole Miss quarterback, is the nephew of former Buffalo Bills quarterback and Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. Drafted last largely because injury and discipline questions had lowered his previously high draft stock, Kelly progressed to become the Denver Broncos' second-string quarterback by the 2018 preseason before being released on October 24, 2018.[9] He later signed with the Indianapolis Colts.[10] After moving to the Canadian Football League, Kelly won the 109th Grey Cup in relief of Toronto Argonauts starting quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson.[11] The following season Kelly led the team to a 16-2 record before they loss in the playoffs to the eventual champions in Montreal. He was later awarded the CFL most outstanding player for that season.[12]
  • Brock Purdy, the 2022 designee, was propelled into the starting quarterback role for the San Francisco 49ers after injuries to first- and second-string quarterbacks, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. Purdy became the first Mr. Irrelevant to complete a forward pass in a regular season game, against the Kansas City Chiefs during week seven of the 2022 season.[13] Later that season, in week thirteen, he became the first Mr. Irrelevant to ever throw a touchdown pass in a regular season game in a 33–17 win against the Miami Dolphins.[14] The following week he became the only rookie quarterback to beat Tom Brady in his first career start, when the San Francisco 49ers defeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35–7 on December 11, passing to Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey for touchdowns. He also managed a two yard rushing score, becoming the first Mr. Irrelevant quarterback to do so.[15] Purdy would finish out the season with 4 more wins, thus beginning his career 5–0 and capping off a 10-game winning streak by San Francisco to close out the season. He also became the first Mr. Irrelevant QB to feature in, as well as start and win, a playoff game when the 49ers defeated the Seattle Seahawks 41–23 on January 14, 2023, during the Wild Card round, He then became the first Mr. Irrelevant QB to make it to the Divisional Round when the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 19–12 on January 22, Eventually losing to The Philadelpia Eagles. Purdy was ultimately named a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year, finishing third place in voting. Purdy remained the starting quarterback in 2023, leading the 49ers to a perfect and undefeated 5–0 start, and a repeat division title.[16][17][18] That season, he was named to his first Pro Bowl, becoming the first 49ers quarterback in two decades to earn the honor.[19] Purdy has been nicknamed Mr. Relevant for his immediate impact and rise to prominence.[20]

Mr. Irrelevant selections

Year Round Pick Player Name Team Position College
1936 9981 Phil Flanagan GiantsGHoly Cross
1937 1010100 Solon Holt RamsGTCU
1938 1210110 Ferd Dreher BearsEDenver
1939 225200 Jack Rhodes GiantsGTexas
1940 225200 Myron Claxton GiantsTWhittier
1941 222204 Mort Landsberg SteelersBCornell
1942 225200 Stu Clarkson BearsCTexas A&I
1943 325300 Bo Bogovich RedskinsGDelaware
1944 326330 Walton Roberts YanksBTexas
1945 326330 Billy Joe Aldridge PackersBOklahoma A&M
1946 325300 John West RamsBOklahoma
1947 327300 Don Clayton GiantsBNorth Carolina
1948 327300 Bill Fischer CardinalsGNotre Dame
1949 2510251 John Schweder EaglesGPenn
1950 3013391 Dud Parker EaglesBBaylor
1951 3011362 Sisto Averno BrownsGMuhlenberg
1952 3011360 John Saban BrownsBXavier
1953 3011360 Hal Maus LionsEMontana
1954 3011360 Ellis Horton LionsBEureka (IL)
1955 3011360 Lamar Leachman BrownsCTennessee
1956 3011360 Bob Bartholomew BrownsTWake Forest
1957 3011360 Don Gest GiantsEWashington State
1958 3011360 Tommy Bronson LionsBTennessee
1959 3012360 Blair Weese ColtsBWest Virginia Tech
1960 2012240 Bill Gorman GiantsTMcMurry
1961 2014280 Jacque MacKinnon EaglesBColgate
1962 2014280 Mike Snodgrass PackersCWestern Michigan
1963 2014280 Bobby Brezina PackersBHouston
1964 2014280 Dick Niglio BearsRBYale
1965 2014280 George Haffner ColtsQBMcNeese State
1966 2015305 Tom Carr ColtsTMorgan State
1967 1726445 Jimmy Walker SaintsWRProvidence
1968 1727462 Jimmy Smith BengalsTEJackson State
1969 1726442 Fred Zirkle JetsDTDuke
1970 1726442 Rayford Jenkins ChiefsDBAlcorn A&M
1971[lower-alpha 1] 1726442 Charles Hill RaidersWRSam Houston State
1972 1726442 Alphonso Cain CowboysDTBethune–Cookman
1973 1726442 Charlie Wade DolphinsWRTennessee State
1974 1726442 Ken Dickerson DolphinsDBTuskegee
1975 1726442 Stan Hegener SteelersGNebraska
1976 1728487 Kelvin Kirk SteelersWRDayton
1977 1227335 Jim Kelleher VikingsRBColorado
1978 1228334 Lee Washburn CowboysGMontana State
1979 1227330 Mike Almond SteelersWRNorthwestern State
1980 1228333 Tyrone McGriff SteelersGFlorida A&M
1981 1228332 Phil Nelson RaidersTEDelaware
1982 1228334 Tim Washington 49ersDBFresno State
1983 1228335 John Tuggle Giants[lower-alpha 2]RBCalifornia
1984 1228336 Randy Essington RaidersQBColorado
1985 1228336 Donald Chumley 49ersDTGeorgia
1986 1228333 Mike Travis ChargersDBGeorgia Tech
1987 1228335 Norman Jefferson Packers[lower-alpha 3]DBLSU
1988 1228333 Jeff Beathard Rams[lower-alpha 4]WRSouthern Oregon
1989 1228335 Everett Ross Vikings[lower-alpha 5]WROhio State
1990 1227331 Demetrius Davis Raiders[lower-alpha 6]TENevada
1991 1228334 Larry Wanke GiantsQBJohn Carroll
1992 1228336 Matt Elliott RedskinsCMichigan
1993 828224 Daron Alcorn Buccaneers[lower-alpha 7]KAkron
1994 728222 Marty Moore Patriots[lower-alpha 8]LBKentucky
1995 741249 Michael Reed PanthersDBBoston College
1996 745254 Sam Manuel 49ersLBNew Mexico State
1997 739240 Ronnie McAda PackersQBArmy
1998 752241 Cam Quayle RavensTEWeber State
1999 747253 Jim Finn Bears[lower-alpha 9]RBPennsylvania
2000 748254 Michael Green Bears[lower-alpha 10]DBNorthwestern State
2001 746246 Tevita Ofahengaue CardinalsTEBYU
2002 750261 Ahmad Miller TexansDTUNLV
2003 748262 Ryan Hoag Raiders[lower-alpha 11]WRGustavus Adolphus
2004 754255 Andre Sommersell RaidersLBColorado State
2005 741255 Andy Stokes PatriotsTEWilliam Penn
2006 747255 Kevin McMahan RaidersWRMaine
2007 745255 Ramzee Robinson LionsCBAlabama
2008 745252 David Vobora RamsOLBIdaho
2009 747256 Ryan Succop ChiefsKSouth Carolina
2010 748255 Tim Toone LionsWRWeber State
2011 753254 Cheta Ozougwu TexansDERice
2012 746253 Chandler Harnish ColtsQBNorthern Illinois
2013 748254 Justice Cunningham ColtsTESouth Carolina
2014 741256 Lonnie Ballentine TexansSMemphis
2015 739256 Gerald Christian CardinalsTELouisville
2016 732253 Kalan Reed Titans[lower-alpha 12]CBSouthern Miss
2017 735253 Chad Kelly BroncosQBOle Miss
2018 738256 Trey Quinn Redskins[lower-alpha 13]WRSMU
2019 740254 Caleb Wilson CardinalsTEUCLA
2020 741255 Tae Crowder GiantsLBGeorgia
2021 731259 Grant Stuard BuccaneersLBHouston
2022 741262 Brock Purdy 49ersQBIowa State
2023 742259 Desjuan Johnson Rams[lower-alpha 14]DEToledo

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. ↑ Although some contemporary sources list Don Nottingham, who had a seven-year career in the NFL, as the last pick of this draft, the Oakland Raiders passed when their time came to pick in the last round and wound up choosing last.
  2. ↑ Pick traded from the Washington Redskins to the New York Giants prior to selection.
  3. ↑ Pick traded from the New York Giants to the Green Bay Packers prior to selection.
  4. ↑ Pick traded from the Washington Redskins to the Los Angeles Rams prior to selection.
  5. ↑ Pick traded from the San Francisco 49ers through the Los Angeles Raiders to the Minnesota Vikings prior to selection.
  6. ↑ Pick traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Los Angeles Raiders prior to selection.
  7. ↑ Pick traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to selection.
  8. ↑ Pick traded from the Dallas Cowboys to the New England Patriots prior to selection.
  9. ↑ Supplemental pick awarded to the reactivated Cleveland Browns, traded from the Browns to the Chicago Bears prior to selection.
  10. ↑ Supplemental pick awarded to the reactivated Cleveland Browns, traded from the Browns to the Chicago Bears prior to selection.
  11. ↑ Supplemental pick awarded to the expansion Houston Texans, traded from the Texans to the Oakland Raiders prior to selection.
  12. ↑ Pick traded from the Denver Broncos to the Tennessee Titans prior to selection. This was a non-compensatory pick.
  13. ↑ Compensatory pick traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Washington Redskins prior to selection; from 2017 onwards, compensatory picks may be traded.
  14. ↑ Supplemental compensatory pick traded from the Houston Texans to the Los Angeles Rams prior to selection.

Citations

  1. ↑ "Irrelevant Week is pretty, well, relevant". May 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  2. ↑ Merron, Jeff (April 18, 2005). "The strangest NFL draft moments". ESPN. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  3. ↑ "'Mr. Irrelevant' Marty Moore a Major Success Story for Patriots". NESN. March 10, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  4. ↑ May, Peter (July 3, 2007). "Providence hoops legend Jimmy Walker dies at 63". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
  5. ↑ "'Mr. Irrelevant' Marty Moore a Major Success Story for Patriots". March 10, 2010. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  6. ↑ "NFL Draft 2013: Top 5 most relevant Mr. Irrelevant selections of all time". April 27, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  7. ↑ "20 NFL draft Mr. Irrelevants who worked their way to (some sort of) relevance". April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Kansas City Chiefs - RB Jamaal Charles Voted Derrick Thomas Award Winner, K Ryan Succop Wins Mack Lee Hill Award". Archived from the original on January 13, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2010.
  9. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (May 1, 2018). "John Elway: Broncos giving up on Paxton Lynch". nfl.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Roundup: Colts sign former Broncos QB Chad Kelly". NFL.com. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Toronto Argonauts win 109th Grey Cup Winnipeg Blue Bombers". TSN. The Canadian Press. November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  12. ↑ https://press.cfl.ca/chad-kelly-named-2023-george-reed-most-outstanding-player
  13. ↑ Madison, Kyle (October 23, 2022). "Brock Purdy makes history in NFL debut". USAToday. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Mr. Relevant: Purdy's first career TD pass makes NFL history". RSN. December 4, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Photos: San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy only quarterback to beat Tom Brady in first career start". December 12, 2022.
  16. ↑ "49ers list Brock Purdy as starter". RSN. August 8, 2023.
  17. ↑ https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/sf/san-francisco-49ers
  18. ↑ "Niners clinch NFC's No. 1 seed with win over Commanders, Eagles' loss to Cardinals". NFL.com. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Purdy becomes 49ers' first Pro Bowl QB in over two decades". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  20. ↑ Bishop, Greg (April 21, 2023), Mr. Irrelevant Has Never Been More Relevant, Thanks to Brock Purdy, retrieved December 8, 2023
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