DETROIT — "Mr. Irrelevant" is the nickname given to players chosen last overall in the NFL Draft. Many players selected with the very last draft pick don't actually end up playing in an NFL game. The last player selected will often be released from the team that drafted them before preseason or training camps start. However, there are some notable exceptions.
Bill Fischer (1948)
Fischer became the first player to make a Pro-Bowl. He was picked last by the then Chicago Cardinals after his junior season at Notre Dame. He decided to stay in school and went on to win the Outland Trophy in 1948 as the nation's top interior lineman. The Cardinals drafted him again in 1949 — this time, with their first-round pick.
Jacque MacKinnon (1961)
MacKinnon played 10 seasons in the AFL with the San Diego Chargers, and the NFL with the Oakland Raiders. He played in two AFL All-Star Games in 1966 and 1968. He is the only Mr. Irrelevant to eventually be selected as an All-Star. He also appeared in a Pro-Bowl.
Tyrone McGriff (1980)
McGriff was drafted last by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He made the 1980 All-Rookie Team, and played two more seasons with the Steelers before transitioning to the United States Football League to play for the Michigan Panthers in 1983. He won a championship ring that year, and a spot on the USFL All-Star Team.
In 1994, the draft was cut to its current seven-round format. That year's Mr. Irrelevant pick is one to remember.
Marty Moore (1994)
Special teams player Moore became the first Mr. Irrelevant to play in a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. He won a Super Bowl with the Patriots a few years later.
Ryan Succop (2009)
Succop was drafted 256th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs. He became the starting kicker for the Chiefs. He went on to tie the NFL record for highest field goal percentage by a rookie in a season with 86.2%. He also holds the record for most field goals made by a rookie in Chiefs' history. He went to the Tennessee Titans in 2014, and eventually signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, where he helped the team win Super Bowl LV. He was the first Mr. Irrelevant to play and win a Super Bowl as a starter and active player.
Brock Purdy (2022)
Quarterback Brock Purdy was selected last overall in 2022 by the San Francisco 49ers. He was propelled to the position of starter after injuries to the first and second-string quarterbacks, Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.
He became the first Mr. Irrelevant to complete a pass, a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown in a regular season. He won all five games he started in his rookie season, and went on to become the first Mr. Irrelevant quarterback to start and win a playoff game. He finished third in the voting for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
In 2023, he led the Niners to Super Bowl LVIII. He also finished fourth in MVP voting and was named to his first Pro-Bowl.
In 2024, the New York Jets will have the last overall pick at No. 257 overall. Who knows what the future holds for that player?
RELATED: Washington Commanders have the 2nd overall draft pick this year. Here's the last time that happened.
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