Every year for as long as most of us can remember, NFL Draft pundits talk about who will be Mr. Irrelevant. This title has existed since 1976 and goes to the player selected with the final pick in the draft.
In total, 45 players have been officially given the title of Mr. Irrelevant, while another 39 have the honor in an unofficial capacity. Purdy is by far the most successful of the bunch, as he’s been a Pro Bowler, led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, and became the first Mr. Irrelevant to start a playoff game as a rookie.
Brock Purdy Earned the “Mr. Irrelevant” Nickname During the 2022 NFL Draft
While the NFL Draft broadcast focuses on green-room attendees who have to wait longer than expected to hear their name, they still usually get picked in the first or second round. For Purdy, he was waiting until the very last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
After not hearing his name on Friday and Thursday, Saturday began with pick No. 106. Finally, pick No. 262 rolled around late in the day, and Purdy’s NFL dream became a reality.
From that point on, he would forever have the Mr. Irrelevant label. Each year, Mr. Irrelevant usually gets a decent amount of exposure and some marketing opportunities. Many of these players don’t stick in the NFL, and these 15 minutes of fame end up being the high point of their pro careers. But Purdy has made the most of every opportunity he’s received and become one of the feel-good stories of the NFL.
What Are the Origins of the “Mr. Irrelevant” Nickname?
In 1976, former USC and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Paul Salata began a series of events that were titled “Irrelevant Week.” The week involved that year’s Mr. Irrelevant being invited to Newport Beach, California.
That first Irrelevant Week began the tradition of designating the player selected with the final pick of each NFL Draft as “Mr. Irrelevant.” Salata was given the honor of announcing the last pick of the draft, which he continued to do until 2013. His daughter took over in 2014 and the tradition has continued ever since.
That late in the NFL Draft, teams aren’t exactly clamoring for one player or another. There isn’t any real concern about having another team “steal” your player. As a result, teams started trying to intentionally pick last just to be able to draft Mr. Irrelevant.
This led to former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle’s creating the “Salata Rule,” which prohibits teams from passing in order to acquire the final pick of the NFL Draft.
What Purdy Has Accomplished Since His Draft Fall
Purdy emerged as a surprise starter toward the end of the 2022 season. The 49ers endured a pileup of injuries at QB, beginning with Trey Lance’s broken ankle in Week 2 and then Jimmy Garoppolo’s foot injury in December.
San Francisco was forced to hand over the reins to the seventh-round rookie, who ended up being exactly what they needed under center.
Purdy began by completing 67.5% of his throws and throwing two touchdowns in the 33-17 romp of the Miami Dolphins. And his impressive NFL debut was no fluke, as Purdy led San Francisco to five consecutive wins.
Selection No. 262 threw 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions while guiding the Niners to the NFC title game. During the 2023 season, Purdy was even better, throwing for 4,280 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just 11 times interceptions.
Not only is Purdy the steal of the 2022 NFL Draft, he’s one of the biggest bargains in the NFL. The third-year quarterback has a ridiculously cheap contract, although that will likely change after this season once he’s eligible to sign a lucrative extension.
Purdy has already defied insurmountable odds by making it to the NFL and then staying on the roster as a seventh-round selection. But in just three seasons, Purdy has changed the way teams and fans look at the last pick of the draft. This Mr. Irrelevant is now one of the most relevant players in the league.