The last pick in the NFL Draft is honored as Mr. Irrelevant. He is feted in Southern California as if he were the first pick. Thanks to Mrirrelevant.org we can back at the players and what became of them.
1976: Kelvin Kirk, Steelers
Kelvin Kirk was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 17th round of the 1976 NFL Draft, making him the first Mr. Irrelevant. He wound up playing seven seasons in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Ottawa Rough Riders. Kirk worked as an artist for the Ottawa Citizen before his sudden death by heart attack while playing a pick–up game of basketball in 2003.
1977: Jim Kelleher, Vikings
Colorado’s Jim Kelleher was drafted by Minnesota. He was Kelleher was CU’s leading scorer in 1976 with 90 points and 15 touchdowns. He wound up as Mr. Irrelevant and wasn’t ready for celebrity status. “I hadn’t had an experience like that before,” Kelleher told the Denver Post in 2016. “The people who put it on couldn’t have been nicer. The whole time was a blast. I wasn’t embarrassed about being singled out as the last draft pick. Being drafted was a goal of mine and I achieved it.” He did not stick with the Vikings or the Philadelphia Eagles the next season.
1978: Lee Washburn, Cowboys
Lee Washburn, an offensive guard from Montana State University, was picked #334 by Dallas Cowboys, who cut him in training camp.
*1978: Bill Kenney, Dolphins
Bill Kenney, a quarterback from Northern Colorado University, was selected #333 by Miami Dolphins. Kenney earned being Mr. Irrelevant as the second-to-last selection when the last player taken suffered a back injury and failed to report to camp. Kenney was cut from the Dolphins at the end of training camp, but he had more success two years later, when he made the Kansas City Chiefs roster as the backup to Steve Fuller.
1979: Mike Almond, Steelers
Mike Almond, a wide receiver from Northwestern (Louisana) State University, was picked #334 by Pittsburgh Steelers. Almond became the first recipient of the Lowsman Trophy. He was cut by the Steelers in training camp.
1980: Tyrone McGriff, Steelers
Tyrone McGriff, outside linebacker from Florida A&M, was selected #333 by Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the only final pick to decide not to attend Irrelevant Week. He played three years in Pittsburgh and came to Irrelevant Week in 1981 as Phil Nelson’s bodyguard.
*1980: Kevin Scanlon, Rams
Kevin Scanlon, a quarterback from the University of Arkansas, was the second Mr. Irrelevant of 1980. Tyrone McGriff, the last selection of the NFL draft, opted for the Canadian Football League, and runner-up Scanlon became Mr. Irrelevant V. Scanlon picked next-to-last by the Los Angeles Rams was released before the regular season.
1981: Phil Nelson, Raiders
Phil Nelson, a tight end from the University of Delaware, was selected #332 by Oakland Raiders, who cut him in training camp.
1982: Tim Washington, 49ers
Tim Washington, defensive back from Fresno State, was picked #334 by San Francisco 49ers. Washington was cut in training camp, re-signed and then cut again.
1983: John Tuggle, Giants
John Tuggle, a running back from University of California, Berkeley, was picked #335 by New York Giants. The consummate, courageous underdog, Tuggle was the first Mr. Irrelevant to make the team that picked him in the draft. Cancer cut short his NFL career in 1984 and eventually ended his life in 1986.
1984: Randy Essington, Raiders
Randy Essington, a quarterback from the University of Colorado, was selected #335 by Oakland Raiders, who cut him before the season.
1985: Donald Chumley, 49ers
Donald Chumley, a tackle from the University of Georgia, was taken #336 by San Francisco 49ers. Chumley made it to the end of training camp before hearing that fateful knock on his dormitory door, but ended up playing for the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL. Chumley was recently hired as the defensive coordinator at South Effingham HS in Georgia.
1986: Mike Travis, Chargers
Mike Travis, a Georgia Tech safety, was selected #333 by San Diego Chargers, who cut him before the season.
1987: Norman Jefferson, Packers
Norman Jefferson, a defensive back out of Louisiana State University, was picked #335 by Green Bay Packers. Jefferson played two years for the Packers and then returned to school to finish his degree. He later spent two seasons in the CFL with the B.C. Lions.
1988: Jeff Beathard, Rams
1989: Everett Ross, Vikings
Everett Ross, a wide receiver from Ohio State, was picked #335 by Minnesota Vikings. Ross was cut in camp, but later joined the U.S. Army. He retired from the military in 1995.
1990: Demetrius Davis, Raiders
Demetrius Davis (No. 88), tight end from the University of Nevada, was selected #331 by Los Angeles Raiders. Davis played for the Raiders and later joined the World League, playing five seasons in Barcelona.
1991: Larry Wanke, Giants
Larry Wanke, a quarterback from John Carroll College, was picked #334 by New York Giants. After the Giants cut him in training camp, Wanke founded Wanke Realty in Ohio.
1992: Matt Elliott, Redskins
Matt Elliott, a center from University of Michigan, was selected #336 by Washington Redskins. Elliot played 16 games for the Redskins as a rookie in 1992. A knee injury knocked him out for the 1993 season and he was cut during training camp in 1994. In 1995 he signed with the Carolina Panthers and started 32 games for the team in three seasons.
1993: Daron Alcorn, Buccaneers
Daron Alcorn, a kicker and punter from Akron University, was the 224th pick by Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Alcorn was cut by the Tampa Bay and later played for the Frankfurt Galaxy in the World League.
1994: Marty Moore, Patriots
Marty Moore, a linebacker from the University of Kentucky, was the 222nd overall pick by New England Patriots. Moore played for eight seasons for the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Moore also holds the distinction of being the first Mr. Irrelevant to play in a Super Bowl (Super Bowl XXXI).
1995: Michael Reed, Panthers
Mike Reed, a defensive back from Boston University, was the #249 by Carolina Panthers. Reed was reluctant to make the trip to Irrelevant Week until then-Panther teammate Matt Elliott (Mr. Irrelevant 1992) told him what it was like to live and party for a week in Newport Beach. Reed made the Panthers roster and played in the first game, but an injury ended his season. He played three seasons for Carolina and registered two tackles. Reed is currently an assistant coach for defensive backs at Clemson University.
1996: Sam Manuel, 49ers
1997: Ronnie McAda, Packers
Ronnie McAda, a quarterback from the United States Military Academy, was picked #240 by Green Bay Packers. He was the last player drafted from the U.S. Military Academy until Caleb Campbell was drafted in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
1998: Cam Quayle, Ravens
Cam Quayle, a tight end out of Weber State, was picked #241 by Baltimore Ravens. During his week as Mr. Irrelevant, Quayle became the first IW honoree to drag the infield at a major league baseball game. He played professionally for the Barcelona Dragons in NFL Europe. Quayle is currently a Pediatric Dentist in Utah.
1999: Jim Finn, Bears
Jim Finn, a running back out of the University of Pennsylvania, was selected #253 by Chicago Bears. He was waived by the Bears at the end of training camp in 1999 and spent a month on Bears’ practice squad. He signed with Colts as a free agent after 1999 season and fumbled in his only rush attempt in 2000 season. In the spring of 2003, Finn signed with the New York Giants…
2000: Michael Green, Bears
Michael Green, a defensive back out of Northwestern State (Louisana) University, was the #254 by Chicago Bears. He made the roster, played in seven games, and recorded three tackles in 2000. In 2001, Green played in all 16 games, starting in two, and registered three sacks. Green also played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins.
2001: Tevita Ofahengue, Cardinals
2002: Ahmad Miller, Texans
Ahmad Miller, defensive tackle out of the University of Nevada Las Vegas was selected #246 by Houston Texans. He was cut prior to the Texans’ final preseason game. He then signed on to the New York Giants practice squad. He signed with the Cleveland Browns in August 2012 but was subsequently cut from the roster.
2003: Ryan Hoag, Raiders
Ryan Hoag, a wide receiver out of Gustavus Adolphus College, was the #262 pick by the Oakland Raiders. In addition to playing on the Raiders practice squad, Hoag was also a member of the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Edmonton Eskimos, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Sentinels. Hoag was a contestant on season four of the ABC reality television dating show The Bachelorette. Hoag is currently a substitute teacher and tennis instructor in Minnesota.
2004: Andre Sommersell, Raiders
Andre Sommersell, an outside linebacker at Colorado State University, was picked #255 by the Oakland Raiders. He was cut by the Raiders and landed on the Baltimore Colts’ roster in 2005. Sommersell played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL in 2006 and was released by the Eskimos on March 30, 2007. In early summer 2007, Sommersell signed with the NFL Europe team Berlin Thunder and was released in July 2007.
2005: Andy Stokes, Patriots
Andy Stokes, a tight end out of William Penn University, was chosen by New England Patriots as the 255th pick of the NFL draft. Stokes was cut by the Patriots during training camp, but he landed on the roster for the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. He was released on Aug. 21, 2006. A
2006: Kevin McMahan, Raiders
Kevin McMahan, a wide receiver out of the University of Maine, was picked #255 by Oakland Raiders. McMahon was cut by the Raiders during training camp. In 2007, McMahan was with the New York Giants. He led all Giants receivers in the final 2007 preseason game against the New England Patriots on Aug. 30 with 57 receiving yards. McMahan was released by the New York Giants a few days later in September 2007. He was added to the practice squad about two weeks later. He remained with the Giants’ organization until the beginning of October 2007, when he was released. One week later, the Kansas City Chiefs signed McMahan to their practice squad, but only a week later, McMahan found himself, once again, released. In May 2008, McMahan, once again, signed with the Chiefs. He was cut after the Chiefs last pre-season game in 2008.
2007: Ramzee Robinson, Lions
Ramzee Robinson, a cornerback who played by Alabama, was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the last pick of the 2007 NFL Draft (255th overall). On June 29, 2007, Robinson signed a three-year contract with the Lions. However, on Sept. 1, 2007, he was cut by the Lions and assigned to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster due to injuries to other players at his position for the Lions’ Week 7 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he notched two tackles on special teams. He also signed contracts with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins, who cut him in 2010.
2008: David Vobora, Rams
David Vobora, a linebacker out of the University of Idaho, was the 252th pick in the drafted, selected by St. Louis Rams. Vobora became the first Mr. Irrelevant to make the roster of the team that drafted him in the 2000s. When Vobora made his first career start at linebacker in the game against the Miami Dolphins, he was the first Mr. Irrelevant to start in a game during his rookie season since Marty Moore started four games for the New England Patriots in 1994.
2009: Ryan Succop, Chiefs
Ryan Succop was the 256th player taken in the draft in April 2009 when the Kansas City Chiefs selected Succop, a kicker from the University of South Carolina. Succop finished his rookie season tying an NFL record for highest field goal percentage by a rookie in a season with 86.2%. He also passed NFL Hall of Famer Jan Stenerud for most field goals made by a rookie in Chiefs history. He was awarded the Mack Lee Hill Award by the Chiefs in 2009, and led the team in scoring.
2010: Tim Toone, Lions
Timothy Lee “Tim” Toone played two years at Weber State as a wide receiver after serving a two-year mission to West Africa for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was drafted by the Lions with the final pick of the 2010 NFL Draft and made the team. He was released in September 2012 and signed to the Atlanta Falcons active roster that December.
2011: Cheta Ozougwu, Texans
Chetachi “Cheta” Ozougwu as drafted by the Houston Texans. On April 11, 2012, Ozougwu signed with the Bears.
2012: Chandler Harnish, Colts
Chandler Harnish was selected 253rd overall by the Indianapolis Colts, is currently a quarterback for the Colts. H
2013: Justice Cunningham, Colts
Justice Cunningham played at the University of South Carolina. In the 2013 NFL Draft, he was the 254th and last player to be drafted. Cunningham was the second consecutive Mr. Irrelevant for the Indianapolis Colts.
2014: Lonnie Ballentine, Texans
Ballentine did not attend the NFL Combine but was drafted with the final pick, 256th overall, of the 2014 NFL Draft. He signed a 4-year, $2.27 million contract with the Texans. On August 30, 2016, Ballentine was placed on reserve/PUP to start the 2016 season. He was activated to the active roster on October 22, 2016. On November 12, Ballentine was placed on injured reserve. On September 2, 2017, Ballentine was waived/injured by the Texans and placed on injured reserve. He was released on September 8, 2017.
2015: Gerald Christian, Cardinals
Gerald Christian played college football for the Louisville Cardinals. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the final pick of the seventh and final round (256th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft. He saw time with three NFL teams and in November 2018, Christian signed with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football, but eventually joined the Arizona Hotshots for the 2019 season.
2016: Kalan Reed, Titans
The Tennessee Titans selected Kalan Reed in the seventh round (253rd overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft, making him the 43rd Mr. Irrelevant. On May 9, 2016, the Tennessee Titans signed Reed to a four-year, $2.39 million contract that includesd a signing bonus of $58,540.
2017: Chad Kelly, Broncos
Chad Patrick Kelly (born March 26, 1994) is an American football quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and Ole Miss. The Broncos selected him in the seventh round with the final pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.
2018: Trey Quinn, Redskins
Trey Quinn, a wide receiver out of Southern Methodist University, became Mr. Irrelevant XLIII as the 256th pick of the 2018 by the Washington Redskins. In his rookie season, Quinn played in 4 games for the Redskins where he had 9 receptions for 75 yards. He was also a finalist for top touchdown celebration of the year at the 2018 NFL Honors. He also threw a no-hitter in the opening round of the 2008 Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.
2019: Caleb Wilson, Cardinals
Caleb Wilson was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round (254th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, earning him the title Mr. Irrelevant as the final pick in the draft. He was waived on Aug. 31, 2019. He was re-signed to their practice squad on Sept. 1. On December 13, 2019, Wilson was signed off the Cardinals’ practice squad to the active roster of the Washington Redskins
2020: Giants, ???????
Who will be the next Mr. Irrevelant? The New York Giants have the last pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Someone will be headed to a week of celebration after being chosen.
