ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock had begun questioning whether any NFL team would select him when the Denver Broncos called his name as the 257th and last selection in Saturday’s draft, earning him the traditional “Mr. Irrelevant” designation.
“The thoughts crept in, but I was trying to keep my mind off of things that I can’t control,” Murdock told reporters during a conference call from the team’s suburban Denver facility. “And when I got that call, I was extremely grateful.”
Utah tight end Dallen Bentley shared similar feelings after being chosen just one selection before Murdock. The Broncos held both final draft spots, marking the first time any franchise has controlled the last two picks since the AFL-NFL merger occurred in 1970.
“I’m just grateful to be part of Broncos Country, man,” Bentley expressed. “I’m just excited. It doesn’t matter when or where you get drafted or (if you go) undrafted, you’ve just got to make the most of every opportunity you get.”
This marks only the second time Denver has selected a “Mr. Irrelevant,” with Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly receiving that distinction in 2017.
Head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton deliberated over which player should receive the final selection before settling on Murdock, who established an FBS record with 17 forced fumbles during his time at Buffalo.
“Man, he’s a tackling machine, really instinctive, really good against the run,” Paton explained. “Just a nose for the ball, relentless, we think he can be a good special teamer. So, we like him.”
Payton described the draft room atmosphere as electric, noting the rare circumstances of controlling both final selections: “The rest of your career, no one will be a part of this when you have the last two picks of the draft, so, there’s eight minutes where you’re kind of controlling things.”
Despite the late round positioning, interest remained high in the final picks.
“There were a handful of teams, believe it or not, that called about coming to get Mr. Irrelevant,” Payton revealed.
“It was a hot pick,” his general manager agreed.
“We were just trying to decide who would be better to go to Newport Beach” for the annual celebration and charity gathering that has honored the draft’s final selection since 1976.
“I mean, it’s cool. In my career we’ve drafted two and they both made” the roster, Paton noted, adding that Denver plans to send both players to the festivities.
“When we talked to Bentley (we told him) he’s vice president, Mr. Irrelevant,” Payton added with humor. “So, if there’s anything he can’t handle, then the two of them can.”
For Murdock, reaching Denver represents the primary goal.
“I feel extremely grateful and excited to help the Broncos win,” Murdock stated. “I know a little bit about Mr. Irrelevant but the main thing is I’ve got an opportunity and I’m trying to make the most of it and help us win.”
“It was a pretty emotional moment, trying to hold it all in in front of the family and everything but yeah I was just really excited to get the opportunity. That’s the main thing. Man, I’m excited to go play for the Broncos. That’s a great team.”
Murdock represented one of only 16 selections throughout the three-day, seven-round draft who attended schools outside the Power Four conferences. This group includes Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Ura Barnard, a Nigerian prospect who never participated in college football.
Despite opportunities to transfer to larger programs like many of his fellow draftees, Murdock chose to remain committed to Buffalo.
“I’ve had opportunities, but I mentioned earlier being a team-first guy,” he explained. “That’s all that matters to me.”
The combination of name, image and likeness compensation and the increasingly active transfer portal has shifted talent toward power conferences, as major programs recruit stars from smaller leagues.
The trend shows declining representation from non-power conferences: from 70 draftees in 2022, numbers dropped to 38 in 2023, 34 in 2024, 24 in 2025, and just 16 this year.
Murdock hopes to emulate the success of notable “Mr. Irrelevant” alumni, including 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy from 2022 and former Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop from 2009.
