A 'hot pick' at No. 257: How the Broncos made Red Murdock this year's Mr. Irrelevant
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — University or Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock was starting to wonder if he'd get drafted at all when the Denver Broncos made him “Mr. Irrelevant” as the 257th and final pick of the NFL draft on Saturday.
“The thoughts crept in, but I was trying to keep my mind off of things that I can’t control,” Murdock said in a conference call with reporters at team headquarters in suburban Denver. “And when I got that call, I was extremely grateful. ” So was Utah tight end Dallen Bentley, who was selected one spot ahead of Murdock as the Broncos had the two final draft picks, something no other team had ever held since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
“I'm just grateful to be part of Broncos Country, man,” Bentley said. “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.
” The only other “Mr. Irrelevant” in Broncos history was Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly in 2017. Broncos coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton contemplated making Bentley “Mr.
Irrelevant” before deciding to give that honor to Murdock, who set an FBS record by forcing 17 fumbles at Buffalo. “Man, he’s a tackling machine, really instinctive, really good against the run,” Paton said. “Just a nose for the ball, relentless, we think he can be a good special teamer.