Tag: Mr. Irrelevant

Jets make Alabama DB Jaylen Key 2024 NFL draft’s Mr. Irrelevant

Alabama’s Jaylen Key is the 2024 Mr. Irrelevant

Jaylen Key goes from arguably the most relevant program in college football to becoming Mr. Irrelevant,

The defensive back was chosen by the New York Jets on Saturday with the 257th pick in the NFL draft, earning him the title of Mr. Irrelevant.

Key is 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds.  He spent four seasons at UAB before joining the Crimson Tide as a graduate student.

Key made 60 total tackles, broke up a pass, and recorded one interception with a return of 13 yards.

 

Jaylen Key becomes ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ as New York Jets select the former Alabama DB

Jaylen Key tabbed as Mr. Irrelevant after being selected by the New York Jets in the 2024 NFL draft!

With the final pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the New York Jets have selected former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Jaylen Key as he earns the infamous title of “Mr. Irrelevant”.

Key is the second former Crimson Tide player to be chosen with the final pick in the draft joining fellow defensive back Ramzee Robinson who earned the title in 2007.

Key spent just one season in Tuscaloosa and despite battling some injuries, played well for [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama defense.

In his lone season with the Tide, Key appeared in 12 games totaling 60 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one interception.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players as they look to begin their NFL careers in the upcoming 2024 season.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on X (Twitter) @Blackwood89.

Why Brock Purdy is called Mr. Irrelevant: The 49ers QB nickname, explained

Here’s the story behind Brock Purdy and Mr. Irrelevant.

You may be watching Super Bowl 2024 and watching San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy get called “Mr. Irrelevant.”

“That seems like an insulting nickname!” you remark.

But there’s a great explanation for it that isn’t insulting.

Each year at the NFL Draft, the final pick of the entire event gets bestowed with “Mr. Irrelevant” — back in 1976, NFL wideout Paul Salata found a way to celebrate the guy who gets taken last, and now his daughter continues to announce that final pick at every draft. Then, the new Mr. Irrelevant gets feted. It’s so fun.

Purdy was taken as the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft and now he’s playing in the Super Bowl!

There’s your answer!

Jed York: Kyle Shanahan knew in 2022 training camp Brock Purdy was 49ers best QB

Kyle Shanahan knew early in Brock Purdy’s rookie year that Mr. Irrelevant was the #49ers’ best QB:

It might have taken Brock Purdy until Week 13 of his rookie year to take over as the 49ers’ starter, but head coach Kyle Shanahan knew he was destined for that job at some point anyway.

49ers CEO Jed York on Thursday spoke with reporters at team headquarters and relayed a story about an interaction he and Shanahan had during the 2022 preseason.

York was talking about how direct Shanahan is and recalled how the head coach grabbed him for a chat during training camp of Purdy’s rookie year.

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While Jimmy Garoppolo was still with the team and Trey Lance, the second-year No. 3 overall pick, was slated to be the starter, Shanahan wanted the team’s CEO to know that the final pick from that year’s draft might actually be the best QB on the roster.

Here’s the full story via 95.7 the Game:

After the draft that year it looked like Purdy was destined to be the team’s practice squad quarterback. It looked like Garoppolo would either be cut or traded, Lance would be the starter, and Nate Sudfeld would be Lance’s backup.

Then during Week 2 of the preseason 49ers team broadcaster Greg Papa mentioned on the television broadcast that Purdy had closed the gap with Sudfeld. Then the 262nd overall pick went out and played well against Minnesota.

By that point Garoppolo was back in the mix after restructuring his contract, so Sudfeld and Purdy were duking it out for the third QB job. It turns out rostering Purdy instead of the veteran Sudfeld was a franchise-altering move, and Shanahan’s early recognition of his talent might not have only saved his own job, but it might also be a key reason the 49ers hoist a sixth Lombardi Trophy.

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2023 NFL draft: Rams make Toledo’s Desjuan Johnson Mr. Irrelevant with 259th and final pick

The Rams had the 259th and final pick in the 2023 NFL draft and chose Toledo’s Desjuan Johnson as Mr. Irrevelant

The Los Angeles Rams swung a deal with the Houston Texans for the 259th pick in the 2023 NFL draft on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo.

That would be the final choice in this process and it makes DesJuan Johnson, a defensive tackle from Toledo. Mr. Irrelevant.

Johnson is a 6-foot-2, 285-pound senior for the Rockets.

UTRockets.com offers the information on Johnson:

2022
Named pre-season First-Team All-MAC by Athlon.

2021
Second-Team All-MAC…70 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 12.5 TFL…Named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week for performance vs. WMU…Six tackles, 2.0 TFL,  one sack, one QBH and forced a fumble that was taken in for a TD…Six tackles, 2.5 TFL vs. Ball State…1.5 sacks vs. EMU……Four tackles, one forced fumble vs. Notre Dame…11 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one QBH vs. NIU…On the preseason watch list for two national defensive player of the year awards, the Bednarik Award and Bronko Naguski Trophy.

2020
Second-team All-MAC…Fourth on the team with 27 tackles… Led team with 8.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks…Nine tackles vs. Ball State…2.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks vs. EMU.

2019
32 tackles, 7.0 TFL, and five QB hurries…Career-high 3.0 tackles for loss vs. Central Michigan…Four tackles against Northern Illinois…Six tackles vs. BYU, including one sack, a tackle for loss, another tackle for no gain and a QB hurry.

2018
Played in 11 games, making 17 tackles…Season-high four tackles vs. Fresno State.

High School
Three-star prospect according to Scout.com and 247 Sports…Helped East English Village Prep to an MHSAA Division II district final appearance as a senior and a 9-2 record…High school coach was Rod Oden.

Personal
Full name is Desjuan Renarl Johnson…Parents are Dion Johnson and Lacreasia Stegar…Father played football at Kansas…Has three brothers, Dion, Dejon and Derion, and two sisters, Dionjanae and Darelle…Interdisciplinary studies major.

Every Mr. Irrelevant

 

Year Name Team (Pos.) Game Appearances
2022 Brock Purdy 49ers (QB) 9
Year Name Team (Pos.) Game Appearances
2019 Caleb Wilson Cardinals (TE) 5
2018 Trey Quinn Redskins (WR) 15
2017 Chad Kelly Broncos (QB) 1
2016 Kalan Reed Titans (CB) 7
2015 Gerald Christian Cardinals (TE) 3
2014 Lonnie Ballentine Texans (S) 4
2013 Justice Cunningham Colts (TE) 4
2012 Chandler Harnish Colts (QB) 0
2011 Cheta Ozougwu Texans (DE) 9
2010 Tim Toone Lions (WR) 0
2009 Ryan Succop Chiefs (K) 166
2008 David Vobora Rams (OLB) 40
2007 Ramzee Robinson Lions (CB) 26
2006 Kevin McMahan Raiders (WR) 0
2005 Andy Stokes Patriots (TE) 0
2004 Andre Sommersell Raiders (LB) 0
2003 Ryan Hoag Raiders (WR) 0
2002 Ahmad Miller Texans (DT) 0
2001 Tevita Ofahengaue Cardinals (TE) 0
2000 Michael Green Bears (DB) 104
1999 Jim Finn Bears (RB) 106
1998 Cam Quayle Ravens (TE) 0
1997 Ronnie McAda Packers (QB) 0
1996 Sam Manuel 49ers (LB) 0
1995 Michael Reed Panthers (DB) 0
1994 Marty Moore Patriots (LB) 112
1993 Daron Alcorn Buccaneers (K) 0
1992 Matt Elliott Redskins (C) 63
1991 Larry Wanke Giants (QB) 0
1990 Demetrius Davis Raiders (TE) 0
1989 Everett Ross Vikings (WR) 0
1988 Jeff Beathard Rams (WR) 0
1987 Norman Jefferson Packers (DB) 14
1986 Mike Travis Chargers (DB) 0
1985 Donald Chumley 49ers (DT) 0
1984 Randy Essington Raiders (QB) 0
1983 John Tuggle Giants (RB) 16
1982 Tim Washington 49ers (DB) 2
1981 Phil Nelson Raiders (TE) 0
1980 Tyrone McGriff Steelers (G) 36
1979 Mike Almond Steelers (WR) 0
1978 Lee Washburn Cowboys (G) 0
1977 Jim Kelleher Vikings (RB) 0
1976 Kelvin Kirk Steelers (WR) 0

 

7 NFL Draft Mr. Irrelevants who have become very relevant, including Brock Purdy

Some last picks in the NFL Draft have become relevant!

[Editor’s note: We published this in December 2022 but it’s, er, relevant for the 2023 NFL Draft!]

It’s not often that the last player picked in the NFL Draft makes a huge impact in the league.

They do get celebrated as “Mr. Irrelevant” during Irrelevant Week, which ex-NFL receiver Paul Salata came up with in the 1970s, which is wonderful.

But there have been some Mr. Irrelevants who have become … relevant … in the NFL (and one who is very relevant in another football league!).

And that’s what we’re here to do, especially now that it looks like Brock Purdy — Mr. Irrelevant 2022 out of Iowa State — could be the starting QB the rest of the season for the San Francisco 49ers.

So let’s run through some of those names:

Baker Mayfield, former No. 1 pick, is so bad now the 49ers ironically stuck with Mr. Irrelevant

A No. 1 overall pick passed over by someone who went last. What a world!

Just over five years ago, Baker Mayfield was the Cleveland Browns’ No. 1 overall pick. A standout Heisman winner with the Oklahoma Sooners, Mayfield was expected to be a franchise quarterback for a Browns organization that probably doesn’t even understand what the phrase “franchise quarterback” means. By some measures, Mayfield was on top of the football world.

My, my — how the outlook of a QB’s career can shift so dramatically in just a quick half-decade in the NFL.

On Tuesday, the desperate Los Angeles Rams claimed Mayfield off of waivers after he was released following a dismal stint with the Carolina Panthers. Though unrealistic due to waiver priority (which is based on the NFL standings), it was expected that a Super Bowl contender like the 49ers would at least inquire about Mayfield’s services after an unfortunate injury to Jimmy Garoppolo.

As it turns out, San Francisco didn’t put in a claim for the former top pick. Ironically, as it stands, it looks like they will instead ride with Brock Purdy, a.k.a. “Mr. Irrelevant,” a.k.a the last selection of the 2022 NFL Draft. Actually, the Rams were the only team to put in a waiver claim for Mayfield.

How the plot thickens!

For Mayfield, this is quite the fall from grace. He was supposed to be The One in Cleveland. Then, when that inevitably fell apart, he was (maybe) supposed to help bring the Panthers back to some kind of relevance. Then, when that vision predictably imploded in on itself … he’s just another guy now. Even if Mayfield starts quickly for the Rams over the rest of 2022, he’s probably just a glorified backup at best.

If the 49ers, who have a Super Bowl-level roster everywhere except at quarterback, would rather potentially stick with someone like Purdy — literally picked last in a draft — rather than even get themselves into the mix for Mayfield — literally picked first in a draft — then that should tell you all you to need to know. Plus, given recent developments, Garoppolo could make a playoff return in a best-case scenario. So, yeah … there wasn’t much hope for a Mayfield rebound.

There’s almost no subtext regarding this football poetry. Mayfield’s NFL career at the moment is a sad, tragic state of affairs. And the 2022 Rams might be his last real shot at finding optimism.

Les presentamos al Mr. Irrelevant de este año: el quarterback de Iowa State Brock Purdy

Después de tres días de relleno aburrido, finalmente llegamos al evento principal del NFL Draft 2022 el sábado en la tarde. Así es, estamos hablando de la tradición favorita de todos: La selección del Mr. Irrelevant – un título que todos los …

Después de tres días de relleno aburrido, finalmente llegamos al evento principal del NFL Draft 2022 el sábado en la tarde.

Así es, estamos hablando de la tradición favorita de todos: La selección del Mr. Irrelevant – un título que todos los jugadores seguro desean.

Este año, esa distinción la tiene el quarterback de Iowa State Brock Purdy, quien fue elegido con la selección final del draft en el No. 262 de la séptima ronda por los San Francisco 49ers.

Purdy es indudablemente el mejor pasador en la historia de los Cyclones. Un ex -recluta de tres estrellas, se ganó la posición titular en cinco juegos en su primer año en el 2018 y nunca vio atrás. Fue titular 46 juegos durante cuatro años, convirtiéndose en el quarterback más ganador en la historia del programa con un récord de 30-17.

También esencialmente reescribió el libro de récords de pases de carrera de Iowa State. No tan irrelevante.

Traducción.- Presentando a … ¡Mr. Irrelevant! ¡Con la selección final de #NFLDraft 2022, los @49ers seleccionan a Brock Purdy!

Purdy, seleccionado dos veces al First Team All-Big 12, se une a un grupo de solo 47 jugadores que comparten el título de Mr. Irrelevant, el cual se hizo oficial en 1976. Es el primer quarterback en ser elegido en la selección final desde Chad Kelly en 2017.

Se enfrenta a un cuarto de quarterbacks muy lleno que incluye al todavía-por-cambiar Jimmy Garoppolo y su sucesor aparente en la selección número 3 del año pasado, Trey Lance. De todos modos, Purdy luchará por obtener un lugar en la plantilla de 53 hombres y parece ser un candidato para desarrollar en el equipo de práctica de los 49ers.

Y en el peor de los casos, tal vez se pueda quedar con el jersey de tres dígitos.

Traducción.- El Mr. Irrelevant 2022 es… Brock Purdy

Meet this year’s Mr. Irrelevant: Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy

The 49ers landed a Purdy good quarterback with the final pick in the draft.

After three days of boring filler, we finally got to the 2022 NFL draft’s main event on Saturday afternoon.

That’s right, folks. I’m talking about everyone’s favorite annual tradition: The selection of Mr. Irrelevant — a title all players surely covet.

This year, that distinction goes to Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy, who was taken with the final pick in the draft at No. 262 in the seventh round by the San Francisco 49ers.

Purdy is almost inarguably the best passer in Cyclones history. A former three-star recruit, he won the starting job five games into his true freshman season in 2018 and never looked back. He started 46 games over four years, becoming the winningest quarterback in program history with a 30-17 record.

He also essentially rewrote Iowa State’s career passing record book in the process. Far from irrelevant, I would say.

Purdy, a two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection, joins a group of only 47 players to share the title of “Mr. Irrelevant,” which was officially coined in 1976. He’s the first quarterback to be taken with the final pick since Chad Kelly in 2017.

He faces a crowded quarterback room that features a still yet-to-be-traded Jimmy Garoppolo and his heir apparent in last year’s third-overall pick, Trey Lance. Still, Purdy will try to compete for a spot on the final 53-man roster and seems like a prime developmental candidate for the 49ers’ practice squad.

And, if nothing else, maybe he’ll get to keep the novelty triple-digit jersey.

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