The Denver Broncos just made history at the 2026 NFL Draft. By selecting linebacker Red Murdock with the final pick (No. 257), the franchise landed its first-ever athlete from the University of Buffalo.

Jon Fuller, an Associate AD for Communication at Buffalo, posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Red is the first @UBFootball player ever drafted by the @broncos,” he wrote.

Red Murdock became the first Buffalo Bulls player drafted since Malcolm Koonce, who went to the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The 22-year-old had a good season in 2025 with 142 tackles, 13.5 tackles for losses, and 5 sacks in 12 games while receiving First Team All-MAC honors.

Murdock arrives in Denver after shattering college records once held by Khalil Mack. Mr. Irrelevant had 17 forced fumbles in his career, breaking Mack's 16 forced fumbles record.

Mr. Irrelevant Murdock would now be celebrated with a week-long event, where he would travel to Newport Beach, CA, and be honored with a parade, a banquet, and a trip to Disneyland.

Paul Salata, the creator of the Mr. Irrelevant Award, affirmed, “We established Irrelevant Week to drive home an important message — that it’s not a negative to be picked last in the NFL Draft; rather, it’s an honor to be drafted at all,” stated Salata.

History shows that being the final pick is no barrier to NFL stardom.

Who Were the Successful Mr. Irrelevant Picks?

In 2009, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Ryan Succop (placekicker) as the last pick of the year, No. 256th overall.

As a rookie, he recorded an 86.2% field goal success rate, which was the highest during that year. He also earned the Chiefs’ 2009 Mack Lee Hill Award and the NFL All-Rookie Team honors.

And after joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, he became the first Mr. Irrelevant to start and win a Super Bowl (2021) against his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Another Mr. Irrelevant who went on to rise through the ranks is quarterback Brock Purdy, who was drafted 262nd overall in 2022. 

In 2023, he earned his first Pro Bowl selection, where he advanced to the Super Bowl, and completed 23-of-39 passes.

Murdock now looks to replicate the professional rise seen by his predecessors.

Read more on the Denver Broncos Community

Written by

Monika Khatai