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. Another 39 have the honor in an unofficial capacity. What is the history behind the name, and what does it mean to be crowned Mr. Irrelevant?
The Origin of Mr. Irrelevant in the NFL Draft
In 1976, former USC and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Paul Salata began a series of events that were titled “Irrelevant Week.” The week involved the player given the title of 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 with the title 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 has continued the tradition ever since.
That late in the NFL Draft, teams aren’t exactly clamoring for one player or another. There isn’t any real concern of 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 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.
Who Are the Most Notable Mr. Irrelevants in NFL Draft History?
The most recent Mr. Irrelevant is Desjuan Johnson, a DE from Toledo, He was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the last pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Johnson made the Rams’ roster, which is never a certainty for a Day 3 pick, appearing in 11 regular-season games, as well as LA’s lone playoff game.
Prior to the NFL Draft being reduced to seven rounds in 1994, Mr. Irrelevant would struggle to make NFL rosters. Since then, the chance of Mr. Irrelevant making it onto a roster has increased significantly, which makes sense given the greater concentration of talent selected each year.
In the past 47 years, a handful of players have far exceeded expectations after being selected as the final pick of the NFL Draft.
Brock Purdy, Quarterback
In 2022, former Iowa State QB Brock Purdy did something no other Mr. Irrelevant had done before — start a playoff game as a rookie.
Since 1994, when the draft officially moved to seven rounds, there have only been six quarterbacks selected in the seventh round to even appear in playoff games. But none, at that point, had done so as rookies.
MORE: Why Did the 49ers Draft Brock Purdy? A Look Back at Mr. Irrelevant
Of course, Purdy shouldn’t have done it either. He opened the season as the 49ers’ third-string QB. Had things gone as planned, he never would’ve even been active for a game, let alone appeared in or started one.
As fate would have it, a Trey Lance injury propelled Purdy into the backup role. Then, a Jimmy Garoppolo injury forced him into the starting job.
In his first appearance in Week 13, Purdy led his team to a 33-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins. During that game, he became the first Mr. Irrelevant to throw a touchdown pass.
Despite having played just two seasons, Purdy is already the most successful Mr. Irrelevant in NFL history. His 49ers came within inches of winning Super Bowl LVIII.
Ryan Succop, Kicker
Those taking issue with crediting Purdy as the most successful Mr. Irrelevant would point to Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Ryan Succop.
Although he’s “just a kicker,” Succop is the first Mr. Irrelevant to participate in a Super Bowl. The final pick of the 2009 NFL Draft, Succop kicked four extra points and a field goal as the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV.
In an intriguing twist of fate, Succop’s Bucs defeated the team that originally selected him back in 2009, the Chiefs. Also interestingly, the player taken just before Succop was TE Dan Gronkowski, older brother to future all-world tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Perhaps most notably, the first player drafted in 2009 — 255 picks before Succop was taken — was Matthew Stafford. One year after Mr. Irrelevant earned his Super Bowl ring, he and the Bucs fell to Stafford and the Rams, who went on to win that year’s Super Bowl.
Jim Finn, Fullback
I mentioned Succop not being the first Mr. Irrelevant to participate in a Super Bowl. Technically, the first Mr. Irrelevant to appear on a Super Bowl-winning team is Jim Finn.
While unquestionably a member of the team, Finn never actually appeared in a game for the 2007 New York Giants. Prior to the season, he was placed on injured reserve (IR), having been the Giants’ fullback for the previous four years.
Marty Moore, Linebacker
Marty Moore’s career itself does not stand out. In eight years, Moore recorded a total of 173 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
KEEP READING: List of No. 1 Overall Picks in NFL Draft History
Nevertheless, Moore was the first Mr. Irrelevant to ever play in a Super Bowl. He was on the New England Patriots’ roster that lost 35-21 to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXI.
Tyrone McGriff Sr., Guard
In terms of on-field performances, Tyrone McGriff Sr. stands out among Mr. Irrelevants. After being the final pick of the 1980 NFL Draft, he was named to the All-Rookie Team that season.
McGriff would then play two more years for the Pittsburgh Steelers before moving to the USFL in 1983. He won a league championship ring and was named to the USFL All-Star Team.
Who Are All the Mr. Irrelevants in NFL History?
The official title of Mr. Irrelevant has only been awarded since 1976. Here is the full list of players to have officially been given the title.
1976 to 1990
- 1976
Kelvin Kirk, WR | Pittsburgh Steelers - 1977
Jim Kelleher, RB | Minnesota Vikings - 1978
Lee Washburn, G | Dallas Cowboys - 1979
Mike Almond, WR | Pittsburgh Steelers - 1980
Tyrone McGriff, G | Pittsburgh Steelers - 1981
Phil Nelson, TE | Oakland Raiders - 1982
Tim Washington, DB | San Francisco 49ers - 1983
John Tuggle, RB | New York Giants (from WAS) - 1984
Randy Essington, QB | Los Angeles Raiders - 1985
Donald Chumley, DT | San Francisco 49ers - 1986
Mike Travis, DB | San Diego Chargers - 1987
Norman Jefferson, DB | Green Bay Packers (from NYG) - 1988
Jeff Beathard, WR | Los Angeles Rams (from WAS) - 1989
Everett Ross, WR | Minnesota Vikings (from SF via LA Raiders) - 1990
Demetrius Davis, TE | Los Angeles Raiders (from SF)
1991 to 2000
- 1991
Larry Wanke, QB | New York Giants - 1992
Matt Elliott, C | Washington - 1993
Daron Alcorn, K | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from DAL) - 1994
Marty Moore, LB | New England Patriots (from DAL) - 1995
Michael Reed, DB | Carolina Panthers - 1996
Sam Manuel, LB | San Francisco 49ers - 1997
Ronnie McAda, QB | Green Bay Packers - 1998
Cam Quayle, TE | Baltimore Ravens - 1999
Jim Finn, RB | Chicago Bears (from CLE) - 2000
Michael Green, DB | Chicago Bears (from CLE)
2001 to 2010
- 2001
Tevita Ofahengaue, TE | Arizona Cardinals - 2002
Ahmad Miller, DT | Houston Texans - 2003
Ryan Hoag, WR | Oakland Raiders (from HOU) - 2004
Andre Sommersell, LB | Oakland Raiders - 2005
Andy Stokes, TE | New England Patriots - 2006
Kevin McMahan, WR | Oakland Raiders - 2007
Ramzee Robinson, CB | Detroit Lions - 2008
David Vobora, OLB | St. Louis Rams - 2009
Ryan Succop, K | Kansas City Chiefs - 2010
Tim Toone, WR | Detroit Lions
2011 to 2023
- 2011
Cheta Ozougwu, DE | Houston Texans - 2012
Chandler Harnish, QB | Indianapolis Colts - 2013
Justice Cunningham, TE | Indianapolis Colts - 2014
Lonnie Ballentine, S | Houston Texans - 2015
Gerald Christian, TE | Arizona Cardinals - 2016
Kalan Reed, CB | Tennessee Titans (from DEN) - 2017
Chad Kelly, QB | Denver Broncos - 2018
Trey Quinn, WR | Washington (from ATL) - 2019
Caleb Wilson, TE | Arizona Cardinals - 2020
Tae Crowder, LB | New York Giants - 2021
Grant Stuard, LB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 2022
Brock Purdy, QB | Iowa State
- 2023
Desjuan Johnson, DE | Toledo
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