The 5 Best Mr. Irrelevants of the modern era
The inevitability of any draft is that somebody will be taken last.
Since 1976, the moniker "Mr. Irrelevant" is given to the final pick of the final round of the NFL draft, originating when Kelvin Kirk was chosen 487th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in an arduous 17 round process. The NFL shortened the number of draft selections significantly over time and since 1994 it tops out at a robust seven rounds.
Every year since the inception of the idea Mr. Irrelevant is invited to a vacation in Newport Beach, California, where they participate in a golf tournament, regatta, roast in his honor, and a ceremony awarding him the Lowsman Trophy, a mockery of the Heisman that depicts a player fumbling.
In celebration of thirty years of seventh-round Mr. Irrelevants, here is a look at the five best players to make the most of the moniker in the modern era.
2008 - 252nd overall - David Voroba - LB - St. Louis Rams
Four year NFL career, 40 games, 16 starts, 57 solo tackles, 2 sacks.
Named opening day starter and started 10 games for the 2009 Rams, who went 1-15.
1994 - 222nd overall - Marty Moore - LB - New England Patriots
Eight year NFL career, 112 games, 19 starts, 110 tackles.
The inaugural 7th round Mr. Irrelevant had nine starts and recorded 63 solo tackles for the 2000 Cleveland Browns, who went 3-13. In 1997 Moore became the first Mr. Irrelevant to play in the Super Bowl at Super Bowl XXXI as a member of the Patriots.
1999 - 253rd overall - Jim Finn - FB - Chicago Bears
Seven year NFL career, 106 games, 45 starts, 11 rushes for 30 yards, 60 receptions for 423 yards, one touchdown.
Caught his only career TD in his rookie year an member of the Indianapolis Colts on a pass thrown by Peyton Manning. Started 11 games for the 2005 New York Giants, who went 11-5. Became the first Mr. Irrelevant to win a Super Bowl at Super Bowl XLII with the Giants, a game he started at fullback.
2009 - 256th overall - Ryan Succop - K - Kansas City Chiefs
Five year NFL career, 80 games, 119-for-174 (81 percent) in his career on field goal attempts, 104th all-time in total field goals made.
He set a Chiefs record for most field goals made by a rookie, when he made a career high 86.2 percent of his 29 attempts. Succop has never missed an extra point in 160 attempts. The only active player on this list and the incumbent kicker for the Chiefs.
2000 - 254th overall - Michael Green - DB - Chicago Bears
Eight year NFL career, 104 games, 48 starts, 340 solo tackles, 80 assisted tackles, seven forced fumbles, four interceptions.
Recorded a career-high 100 solo tackles for the 2002 Bears, who finished 4-12. Finished fourth in the league with four fumble recoveries in 2004, the highest any Mr. Irrelevant since 1994 has finished in any statistical category.