Mr. Irrelevant history in NFL draft: Every final pick since 1976
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:
Jump to:
2020s | 2010s | 2000sbr/>1990s | 1980s | 1970s
2025
Kobee Minor, CB, New England Patriots
>Pick No. 257
>College: Memphis
>Pick No. 257
>College: Alabama
2023
Desjuan Johnson, DE, Los Angeles Rams
>Pick No. 259
>College: Toledo
2022
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
>Pick: No. 262
>College: Iowa State
2021
Grant Stuard, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
>Pick: No. 259
>College: Houston
2020
Tae Crowder, LB, New York Giants
>Pick: No. 255
>College: Georgia
2019
Caleb Wilson, TE, Arizona Cardinals
>Pick: No. 254
>College: UCLA
2018
Trey Quinn, WR, Washington
>Pick: No. 256
>College: SMU
2017
Chad Kelly, QB, Denver Broncos
>Pick: No. 253
>College: Ole Miss
2016
Kalan Reed, CB, Tennessee Titans
>Pick: No. 253
>College: Southern Miss
2015
Gerald Christian, TE, Arizona Cardinals
>Pick: No. 256
>College: Louisville
2014
Lonnie Ballentine, S, Houston Texans
>Pick: No. 256
>College: Memphis
2013
Justice Cunningham, TE, Indianapolis Colts
>Pick: No. 254
>College: South Carolina
2012
Chandler Harnish, QB, Indianapolis Colts
>Pick: No. 253
>College: Northern Illinois
2011
Cheta Ozougwu, DE, Houston Texans
>Pick: No. 254
>College: Rice
2010
Tim Toone, WR, Detroit Lions
>Pick: No. 255
>College: Weber State
2009
Ryan Succop, K, Kansas City Chiefs
>Pick: No. 256
>College: South Carolina
2008
David Vobora, OLB, St. Louis Rams
>Pick: No. 252
>College: Idaho
2007
Ramzee Robinson, CB, Detroit Lions
>Pick: No. 255
>College: Alabama
2006
Kevin McMahan, WR, Oakland Raiders
>Pick: No. 255
>College: Maine
2005
Andy Stokes, TE, New England Patriots
>Pick: No. 255
>College: William Penn
2004
Andre Sommersell, LB, Oakland Raiders
>Pick: No. 255
>College: Colorado State
2003
Ryan Hoag, WR, Oakland Raiders
>Pick: No. 262
>College: Gustavus Adolphus
2002
Ahmad Miller, DT, Houston Texans
>Pick: No. 261
>College: UNLV
2001
Tevita Ofahengaue, TE, Arizona Cardinals
>Pick: No. 246
>College: BYU
2000
Michael Green, DB, Chicago Bears
>Pick: No. 254
>College: Northwestern State
1999
Jim Finn, FB, Chicago Bears
>Pick: No. 253
>College: Pennsylvania
1998
Cam Quayle, TE, Baltimore Ravens
>Pick: No. 241
>College: Weber State
1997
Ronnie McAda, QB, Green Bay Packers
>Pick: No. 240
>College: Army
1996
Sam Manuel, LB, San Francisco 49ers
>Pick: No. 254
>College: New Mexico State
1995
Michael Reed, DB, Carolina Panthers
>Pick: No. 249
>College: Boston College
1994
Marty Moore, LB, New England Patriots
>Pick: No. 222
>College: Kentucky
1993
Daron Alcorn, K, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
>Pick: No. 224
>College: Akron
1992
Matt Elliott, C, Washington
>Pick: No. 336
>College: Michigan
1991
Larry Wanke, QB, New York Giants
>Pick: No. 334
>College: John Carroll
1990
Demetrius Davis, TE, Los Angeles Raiders
>Pick: No. 331
>College: Nevada
1989
Everett Ross, WR, Minnesota Vikings
>Pick: No. 335
>College: Ohio State
1988
Jeff Beathard, WR, Los Angeles Rams
>Pick: No. 333
>College: Southern Oregon
1987
Norman Jefferson, DB, Green Bay Packers
>Pick: No. 335
>College: LSU
1986
Mike Travis, DB, San Diego Chargers
>Pick: No. 333
>College: Georgia Tech
1985
Donald Chumley, DT, San Francisco 49ers
>Pick: No. 336
>College: Georgia
1984
Randy Essington, QB, Los Angeles Raiders
>Pick: No. 336
>College: Colorado
1983
John Tuggle, RB, New York Giants
>Pick: No. 335
>College: California
1982
Tim Washington, DB, San Francisco 49ers
>Pick: No. 334
>College: Fresno State
1981
Phil Nelson, TE, Oakland Raiders
>Pick: No. 332
>College: Delaware
1980
Tyrone McGriff, G, Pittsburgh Steelers
>Pick: No. 333
>College: Florida A&M
1979
Mike Almond, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
>Pick: No. 330
>College: Northwestern State
1978
Lee Washburn, G, Dallas Cowboys
>Pick: No. 334
>College: Montana State
1977
Jim Kelleher, RB, Minnesota Vikings
>Pick: No. 335
>College: Colorado
1976
Kelvin Kirk, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
>Pick: No. 487
>College: Dayton
