The 2024 NFL Draft will wrap up on Saturday, April 27. The third day of the draft has the most lax coverage as they complete the final four rounds and the announcing of picks becomes few and far between. The last pick of the draft has become a spectacle in and of itself. It has been titled Mr. Irrelevant, and while often thought of as the player in the draft with the smallest chance to succeed, recent players earning the title have been producers for their teams.
The title caught on in 1976 and was installed by former NFL receiver Paul Salata. He wasn’t the last pick in the 1951 draft, but he still helped to coin the phrase, the award and “irrelevant week.” Salata announced the final pick of the NFL Draft until 2013, and his daughter has taken over announcing the pick since. The player is awarded a jersey, a week-long stay in Newport Beach and a Heisman-esque statue where instead of posing, the player is fumbling a football.
The 2022 selection of Brock Purdy for the San Francisco 49ers has turned around how the award is perceived. He earned the starting job for the Niners and, over the last two seasons, has thrown for 5,654 yards with 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over 25 games. Last year’s pick was defensive end Desjuan Johnson, who was drafted out of Toledo. He played in 11 games for the Los Angeles Rams and finished with nine total tackles, including two sacks and a forced fumble. With the retirement of Aaron Donald, Johnson may see an increased workload next season.
With the 2024 NFL Draft upon us, here are the five most recent “Mr. Irrelevant” players:
2023: Desjuan Johnson, DE, Los Angeles Rams
2022: Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers
2021: Grant Stuard, LB, Buccaneers
2020: Tae Crowder, LB, Giants
2019: Caleb Wilson, TE, Cardinals