Who was Mr. Irrelevant 2026 the answer is Red Murdock, a 6-foot-2, 232-pound linebacker from the University of Buffalo (Bulls), selected by the Denver Broncos with the 257th and final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 26 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, making him the 51st player in NFL history to earn the title. Murdock’s full legal name is Khalil Murdock, but he has gone by “Red” throughout his football career. Far from an unknown prospect, Murdock arrives in Denver holding the NCAA all-time record for career forced fumbles with 17 a statistic that makes him one of the most accomplished ball-stripping defenders ever to receive the Mr. Irrelevant honour.
Also Read: ATP Barcelona 2026 Begins: Full Schedule, Draw & Key Players
Who Was Mr. Irrelevant 2026: Red Murdock’s Player Profile
Red Murdock played all four years of his college career in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) at the University of Buffalo, establishing himself as one of the most productive defensive players in the programme’s history. He recorded 364 total tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and 1 interception across his college career numbers that earned him two-time first-team All-MAC recognition.
In his final season in 2025, Murdock posted 142 tackles (second-best in the nation), 13.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles, earning second-team All-America honours from Walter Camp, the AP, and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). The year before, in 2024, he recorded 156 tackles demonstrating the kind of high-volume, consistent production that persuaded Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton to close out their seven-pick draft class with him.
Also Read: Ohio State Spring Game 2026: Full Schedule, Players & Preview
Who Was Mr. Irrelevant 2026: The Denver Broncos’ Decision
The Denver Broncos entered the 2026 NFL Draft with seven picks and used their final selection pick 257 to add a linebacker with elite ball-hawking instincts and a proven college track record. Red Murdock was the seventh and final member of Denver’s 2026 draft class, joining a Broncos defensive unit that head coach Sean Payton has been actively rebuilding since taking over the franchise.
Murdock told reporters he was unaware of the full scope of the Mr. Irrelevant tradition before the pick was announced, but expressed genuine excitement at hearing his name called as the draft’s final selection. “For newly minted Denver Broncos linebacker Red Murdock, it was highly relevant he is now this draft’s Mr. Irrelevant,” ESPN reported following the pick.
Who Was Mr. Irrelevant 2026: What Makes Red Murdock Historically Unique
While every Mr. Irrelevant carries a record of some kind being the final pick of the entire draft Red Murdock’s distinction goes far beyond his draft position. His 17 career forced fumbles set the all-time FBS record, surpassing every linebacker, defensive back, and edge rusher in the history of college football’s top division.
For context, most NFL teams value forced fumbles as one of the hardest skills to develop and teach they require elite instincts, violent hand technique, and the football intelligence to strip the ball at the exact moment of contact. The fact that Murdock leads all of FBS history in this category gives Denver a legitimate argument that their final pick provides immediate, measurable value on special teams and in sub-package defensive roles.
Also Read: Newport Half Marathon 2026 Announced: Date, Route & Registration Details
Who Was Mr. Irrelevant 2026: Mr. Irrelevant History & Pick Number
The “Mr. Irrelevant” nickname was coined by former USC receiver and NFL player Paul Salata in 1976, when he handed the title to Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Kelvin Kirk selected with what was then pick 487 in a draft far longer than today’s. Salata created the tradition to reframe the final pick not as a disappointment but as a celebration of perseverance “it’s not a negative to be picked last in the NFL Draft; rather, it’s an honor to be drafted at all,” Salata stated on the organisation’s official website.
The pick number for Mr. Irrelevant varies year to year based on compensatory selections awarded to teams. Pick 257 marks the third consecutive year the title landed on the same number:
| Year | Mr. Irrelevant | Pick No. | Position | Team |
| 2022 | Brock Purdy | 262 | QB | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2023 | Desjuan Johnson | 259 | DE | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2024 | Jaylen Key | 257 | DB | New York Jets |
| 2025 | Kobee Minor | 257 | CB | New England Patriots |
| 2026 | Red Murdock | 257 | LB | Denver Broncos |
Who Was Mr. Irrelevant 2026: Irrelevant Week and the Lowsman Trophy
After the 2026 NFL Draft concluded in Pittsburgh, Red Murdock earned an invitation to Irrelevant Week the annual celebration held in Newport Beach, California, organised by the Salata family to honour the draft’s final pick with the same fanfare typically reserved for first-round selections. The week includes a golf tournament, charity gala, civic events, a parade, and the official presentation of the Lowsman Trophy a deliberately humorous counterpart to the Heisman Trophy that depicts a player fumbling a football rather than carrying it.
Murdock will travel to California for the festivities and connect with past Mr. Irrelevant honourees as part of a tradition that has now been running for nearly five decades. The exact date for Irrelevant Week 2026 has not been publicly disclosed at the time of publication, though reports suggest it typically takes place within three weeks of the draft’s conclusion.
Also Read: Amstel Gold Race 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Who Was Mr. Irrelevant 2026: The Brock Purdy Effect
No discussion of who was Mr. Irrelevant 2026 is complete without acknowledging the shadow and inspiration of Brock Purdy, the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant who transformed the title from a lighthearted novelty into one of the most watched picks in the entire draft. Selected 262nd overall by the San Francisco 49ers, Purdy became the team’s starting quarterback after injuries struck the depth chart, led San Francisco to the Super Bowl, earned Pro Bowl selections, and became one of the NFL’s most recognisable players.
Before Purdy, the title drew polite laughs and warm wishes. After Purdy, every Mr. Irrelevant arrives carrying the genuine weight of expectation. Red Murdock acknowledged the moment, and the broader football world immediately drew comparisons not because Murdock is a quarterback, but because his record-setting college production mirrors the “makes plays despite being overlooked” narrative that defined Purdy’s pre-draft story. Ryan Succop (2009), who went on to a 15-year NFL career and a Super Bowl ring, and Marty Moore (1994), the first Mr. Irrelevant to win a Super Bowl, also stand as proof that the final pick can deliver genuine NFL value.
Who Was Mr. Irrelevant 2026: Rookie Contract and NFL Prospects
As the 257th overall pick, Red Murdock signs a four-year rookie contract at the lowest slotted value in the 2026 draft class a minimal salary cap investment that gives the Denver Broncos a genuine low-risk, potentially high-reward addition to their linebacker room. At 6-foot-2 and 232 pounds with elite instincts, high tackle volume, and the most career forced fumbles in FBS history, Murdock brings a specific skill set that could carve out a niche role on special teams before competing for defensive snaps.
Murdock enters training camp with the same rights as every other drafted Bronco a fully guaranteed contract, access to all coaching and facilities resources, and the right to compete for a roster spot on equal footing. The University of Buffalo celebrated his selection enthusiastically, with the programme noting that Murdock is “not irrelevant to us” a sentiment echoed by fans on social media who quickly noted that his name, production, and record-breaking college career made him one of the more accomplished players to ever wear the Mr. Irrelevant crown.
Also Read: NBA Playoffs 2026 Standings: Full Bracket, Seeds & Latest Updates
