Broncos Were Largely Irrelevant In This Draft, But New 'Mr. Irrelevant' Might Not Be

Broncos Were Largely Irrelevant In This Draft, But New 'Mr. Irrelevant' Might Not Be

The Denver Broncos came close to sitting out this year’s NFL draft, but they did have a few moments here and there. One came at the end of Day 3 when the Broncos had the last two selections of the draft, and they chose Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock to become this year’s “Mr. Irrelevant,” taking him right after they selected Utah tight end Dallen Bentley.

Murdock was appropriately humble about being selected, and he added that he didn’t know much about the annual ceremony that comes with earning this “honor.”

"I know a little bit about Mr. Irrelevant, but the main thing is I got an opportunity and to make the most out of it and help us win,'' Murdock said in a followup piece written by Jeff Legwold of ESPN. "[But] it was a pretty emotional moment, trying to hold it in front of the family and everything. I was just really excited to get an opportunity ... the Broncos, man, I'm just really excited to play for the Broncos. That's a great team ... it's playing out perfectly."

This draft was unique for Denver in one unusual way as well. The Broncos became the first team since the common draft era started in 1967 to have the final two picks, and coach Sean Paton definitely had some fun with that in his followup comments.

Payton joked that Bentley was now “vice president” for the Irrelevant Week festival that takes place each year after the last selection is made, and GM George Paton added that both Bentley and Murdock will be flown out for the festival in the coming weeks.

The Broncos coach also made a comment that reflects on his occasional tendencies to be a bit of a control freak, which could be an understatement of sorts.

"It was unique, I think we said it during the draft, [for] the rest of your career no one in this draft room will be part of a draft where you have the last two picks of the draft," Payton said. "... There was eight minutes where you were kind of controlling everything."

Murdock’s battle to make the roster will be formidable. The Broncos have an elite linebacker group, and they also added depth to this position group beyond Murdock.