Every Mr Irrelevant Since 2010 and How Their Careers Turned Out
Mr Irrelevants, since 2010, have had mixed careers. Some of them became stars, while most others faded quickly, but many proved that the last pick matters.
- Rajat Srivastava
- 6 min read
Since 2010, Mr Irrelevant, the last pick in each NFL Draft, have had many different career paths. Some, like Brock Purdy, became stars, while others never even played a game. A few found success in some other leagues or through some different means. This list shows that how, even the final draft pick can make an impact. Sometimes it can beat the odds or out perform those who were picked much higher than them.
13.Chandler Harnish (2012 - Colts)
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Harnish backed up Andrew Luck in Colts but never played in a regular season game. He tried his luck with a few teams before leaving the league. He was known more for being the last pick than anything he did on the field, he later moved into the business world.
12. Caleb Wilson (2019 - Cardinals)
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Wilson led college tight ends in receiving at UCLA but never played in a NFL game. He spent time on several practice squads but couldn’t break through to a regular season roster. He was a classic case of good college numbers not translating into pro success. He is currently a coach at the University of Washington.
11. Lonnie Ballentine (2014 – Texans)
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Ballentine had the size and athleticism teams love, but injuries limited him to less than 5 games. Despite his potential, he never got to prove himself fully in the NFL. His career ended early due to health related setbacks before he could gain any momentum in his pro football career.
10. Gerald Christian (2015 – Cardinals)
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Christian was a bit unlucky as he tore his MCL in the pre-season and missed his rookie year. He later played one game and caught a pass. He also played briefly in a minor league called Alliance of American Football before that league ended abruptly. Injuries and bad timing hurt his chances of having a longer career.
9. Justice Cunningham (2013 - Colts)
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Cunningham made it to the Colts’ roster and caught a few passes in his limited opportunities. He also spent some time with the Rams and Bears, but was mostly considered for practice squads. While not a big name, he did make it onto the field which was a decent accomplishment for a player who was the draft’s final pick.
8. Kalan Reed (2016 -Titans)
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Reed played a few games and looked solid as a cornerback before suffering a neck injury with the Seahawks. Doctors advised him to retire for health reasons. He showed promise, but it was unfortunate that his career ended just as it was getting started. He is often remembered as someone who could have had a bright future in NFL.
7. Cheta Ozougwu (2011 - Texans)
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Ozougwu played in 9 NFL games for the Texans and Bears. He logged 9 tackles and a sack in a short career. While he was not a major impact player, he did much more than most Mr Irrelevants do in their career through his regular appearance for his sides. Though he could not extend his career due to injuries, yet he made his presence felt on the field.
6. Trey Quinn (2018 – Commanders)
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Trey was a skilled receiver with good hands and route running. He played in more than 10 NFL games for the Commanders, catching 35 passes and scoring 2 touchdowns. He later joined other franchises like Jaguars, Broncos and Lions. But injuries slowed him down and he ended up playing in other leagues like the USFL and XFL. He showed flashes of talent in NFL but never had a full season to showcase his talent.
5. Chad Kelly (2017 – Broncos)
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Chad had enough NFL talent to be picked up in the draft. He could throw the ball well and had a strong college resume. But off-field issues held him back. After getting released, he went to Canada and became a star in the CFL. In 2022, he led the Toronto Argonauts to a Grey Cup win and was named the MVP of the league. It seemed like that Kelly had the talent but that just didn’t work out in the NFL.
4. Desjuan Johnson (2023 – Rams)
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Desjuan had a strong rookie year with the Rams. He recorded 3 sacks, forced a fumble, and held his own in the defensive line. Johnson’s quickness and athleticism was liked by the coaches. While he is still in the early stages of his career, he’s shown the kind of effort and ability that could make him a solid NFL player for years to come.
3. Grant Stuard (2021 – Buccaneers)
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Grant quickly rose through the ranks due to his energy and toughness. Though he didn’t start many games, he was still a leader in the locker room. He wore the captain’s patch and played first for the Buccaneers. Post his stint with the Buccaneers, Grant played a couple of seasons for Colts and has now signed for the Lions. Having played over 40 games, he has proven that honest efforts can take you a long way, even when you are the last choice.
2. Tae Crowder (2020 – Giants)
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Crowder was picked last in 2020 but quickly made an impact. He became a starting linebacker for the Giants and played in over 40 games. In three years, he made over 200 tackles and even had a couple of interceptions. He wasn’t a superstar, but he was tough, dependable and worked really hard for his team. After his time with the Giants, he spent time in other leagues like the UFL. And he is currently plying his trade with Birmingham Stallions in UFL.
1. Brock Purdy (2022 – 49ers)
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Brock Purdy is an amazing underdog story. He might be the best Mr. Irrelevant ever. When the 49ers picked him last in 2022, no one expected much from him. But injuries gave Brock a chance to start and he took full control of his career. He helped the 49ers reach the NFC title game as a rookie, and then the Super Bowl in his second year. By 2025, the 49ers gave him a huge 5 year, $265 million contract. He’s now their franchise quarterback and a Pro Bowl player.
Too Soon to Rank - Jaylen Key (2024 – Jets), Levi Drake Rodriguez (2025 – Rams)
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Jaylen is still in training camp with the Jets and is preparing for the new season. He hasn’t played a NFL game yet, making it too soon to judge or rank him. And Levi has just been drafted in 2025. He’s currently getting ready for the pre-season games. His strength and physicality is being liked by all. But it’s way too early to comment upon his career.