Mr. Irrelevant history in NFL draft: Every final pick since 1976

ByESPN Staff

Monday, April 28, 2025

The nickname "Mr. Irrelevant" -- given to the player selected as the last pick in the NFL draft -- has been used for decades, but San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy rekindled interest in the topic. On Saturday, former Memphis cornerbackKobee Minorbecame the latest to wear the tag when theNew England Patriotsselected him with the 257th and final pick of the 2025 NFL draft.

Minor will look to scale the same heights as Purdy, whotook over the starting job in Week 14 of the 2022 season after then-starter Jimmy Garoppolo went out with a foot injury and eventually lifted the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII. He became the only Mr. Irrelevant QB in the common draft era (since 1967) to start and win a playoff game.

Other notable Mr. Irrelevants include kicker Ryan Succop (2009) -- a Super Bowl LV winner with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers whose 82.9% field goal percentage ranks 37th in NFL history, according to Pro Football Reference -- and linebacker Tae Crowder (2020), who had 232 total tackles, two sacks and two interceptions in three seasons for the New York Giants before being signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The nickname and Mr. Irrelevant Week -- a celebration and charity event -- were created by former player Paul Salata to celebrate the underdog. There have been many Mr. Irrelevants since Kelvin Kirk became the first in 1976. Here's the complete list:

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