Broncos have second "Mr. Irrelevant" in team history, several teams wanted pick

For the second time in team history, the Denver Broncos have selected "Mr. Irrelevant". The pick has become one of the more popular picks as it is the last pick in the draft, complete with its own nickname. 

The "Mr. Irrelevant" pick has officially been celebrated, if you can call it that, since 1976. Though many of the names chosen with the last pick in the draft have been easily forgotten over the years, Brock Purdy was taken with that pick in 2022. 

This year, the Broncos used the last pick, No. 257 overall, to select Buffalo linebacker Khalil "Red" Murdock. Inside linebacker was arguably the team's biggest need entering this draft and the team didn't take one until the final pick. 

Murdock had a draftable grade and was likely surprised he was still on the board. Perhaps other teams were looking to take him as well, but either way, head coach Sean Payton confirmed that several teams called about trading for the pick.

Irrelevant Week CEO Melanie Fitch tells me they're considering celebrating #Broncos Red Murdock as Mr Irrelevant in Denver rather than Newport Beach “If the Broncos embrace the idea then we’ll design it in Denver If the Broncos say they’d rather not we’ll bring him to California"

Murdock joins former quarterback Chad Kelly as the two players who the Broncos have taken to close out a draft. Kelly, the nephew of Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, was taken with the final pick in 2017. He came into the league with a lot of promise, but even though his NFL career ended, he is still playing in the Canadian Football League. 

Murdock became the seventh linebacker to be named "Mr. Irrelevant" since 1976. These players are flown down to Newport Beach, California and they have the chance to partake in several events, including a golf tournament. 

Analysis, grade for seventh-round selection of Red Murdock

Following his freshman season at Buffalo, Murdock was a three-year starter for the team. He finished his career with 364 total tackles (39.5 tackles for loss), nine sacks and one interception, which he brought back for a touchdown. 

He has the traits to eventually see the field as a defender on first and second down, but he will have to earn his keep as a special teams contributor to begin his career. 

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That said, the Broncos don't have a lot of depth at the inside linebacker position and without taking one early in the draft, that didn't change. He could not only become a Mr. Irrelevant pick to make an impact on a team, but he'll have an outside chance of making the 53-man roster this summer. 

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