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. So, we like him.”
Payton said the chatter in the draft room was what a unique opportunity it was to hold the final two picks: “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.”
The phones kept ringing, however.
“There were a handful of teams, believe it or not, that called about coming to get Mr. Irrelevant,” Payton said.
“It was a hot pick,” concurred his general manager.
“We were just trying to decide who would be better to go to Newport Beach” for the celebration and charity event that's been held every season since 1976 to honor the final player picked in the draft.
“I mean, it's cool. In my career we've drafted two and they both made” the roster, Paton added, nothing that the Broncos are going to send both players to the celebration.
“When we talked to Bentley (we told him) he's vice president, Mr. Irrelevant,” Payton interjected. “So, if there's anything he can't handle, then the two of them can.”
Murdock was looking forward to getting to Denver more than anything.
“I feel extremely grateful and excited to help the Broncos win,” Murdock said. “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 was one of just 16 draft picks in the three-day, seven-round process who didn't attend a Power Four conference school, a list that includes Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Ura Barnard, a massive Nigerian prospect who never played college football.
Murdock said he had the chance like so many of his fellow draft picks to go to a bigger school but stayed loyal with Buffalo.
“I've had opportunities, but I mentioned earlier being a team-first guy,” he said. “That's all that matters to me.”
Name, image and likeness riches and the ever-more-crowded transfer portal have combined to concentrate talent in the power conferences as the bigger schools siphon stars from other leagues.
Since 2022, when 70 draftees came from non-power conferences, the number has dipped to 38 in 2023, 34 in 2024, 24 in 2025 and 16 this year.
Murdock will try to follow in the footsteps of the most successful “Mr. Irrelevant” players: 49ers QB Brock Purdy in 2022 and former Chiefs punter Ryan Succop in 2009.
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FILE - Buffalo's Red Murdock, left, tries to stop Missouri quarterback Brady Cook during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Melanie Salata Fitch, second from right announces Red Murdock as the final pick, referred to as Mr. Irrelevant, by the Denver Broncos, during third day of the NFL football draft, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley articulated their goal weeks ago: They wanted to rebuild the franchise around toughness and physicality.
They walked away from their first draft in Miami with the players they wanted.
“I would say it was collaborative, cohesive,” Sullivan said. “I felt like we executed. I felt like we helped the Miami Dolphins. I speak for both of us when we talk about the excitement of the players we drafted and the culture we're trying to build.”
The Dolphins had 13 picks, and they used the first two on Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor (12th overall) and San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson (27th) — players who fit the mold of toughness and are expected to be tone-setters.
Proctor was the biggest offensive lineman in the draft at 6-foot-7, 352 pounds. He will be tasked with protecting new quarterback Malik Willis and making things easier in the run game for De'Von Achane. Johnson, known for his physicality and versatility, will have a chance to start right away because of the holes in Miami's secondary.
“I believe this is a physical game,” Hafley said, “and you need tough guys to play this game and guys who want to be physical. If you look at this (draft) list and watch how hard these guys play, I think it’s impressive.”
The Dolphins needed offensive line help, but given Sullivan's stated approach of taking the best player available, it was somewhat surprising when they used their first pick on Proctor when projected difference-makers like Miami Hurricanes edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs were available.
Sullivan said the Dolphins targeted Proctor specifically. They had no desire to deviate from their plan, regardless of how the draft board unfolded.
“His height, weight, speed, production, the things that he can do on the football field for a man his size, he’s an outlier,” Sullivan said. “There’s not many like him. That’s no shot at Caleb Downs, a phenomenal, phenomenal football player, and he’ll have a great career ... but we had a lot of conviction on Proctor being a very unique player in this draft and one that we can build around for years. We invested in Malik, and it was important for us to protect him.”
Proctor has a “1972” tattoo on the knuckles of his right hand, honoring the year his stepfather was born.
That also happens to be the year that the Dolphins completed the NFL's only perfect season en route to their first Super Bowl win.
“I suppose it was meant to be,” Proctor said at his introductory news conference.
Miami drafted linebacker Jacob Rodriguez out of Texas Tech to possibly follow in the footsteps of Red Raiders alum and Dolphins Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. Miami also selected Texas Tech wide receiver Caleb Douglas in the third round and took linebacker Trey Moore, safety Michael Taaffe and guard DJ Campbell out of Texas.
That's five players from Texas schools.
At least one Dolphins veteran was thrilled about the Texas ties. Former Red Raider Jordyn Brooks was so excited the team drafted Rodriguez and Douglas that the veteran linebacker came to the Dolphins' practice facility shortly after the picks were made on Friday night.
“It was cool to have him in the draft room,” Sullivan said. “He was gassed up, and he got us fired up.”
After releasing veteran Tyreek Hill and trading away star Jaylen Waddle, Miami drafted three receivers, including Douglas and Louisville's Chris Bell.
Both fit what Miami was looking for in size. Douglas — 6-4, 205 pounds — was praised for his length. Bell — 6-2, 220 pounds — is strong and explosive.
The Dolphins used a third-round pick on Bell, who Sullivan estimated would not have fallen that far if he wasn't recovering from an ACL injury suffered in November.
Sullivan said the Dolphins expect Bell to be available to play at some point next season, but the draft pick was about a “long-term investment” in the type of player Bell can become. He was Louisville's leading receiver and had nine receptions, 136 yards and two TDs when the Cardinals played the Hurricanes at the Dolphins' Hard Rock Stadium in October.
“Just seeing me drop down the board, it hurt,” said Bell, who had ACL surgery four months ago. “But I know I pla“ better with a chip on my shoulder, so God did that for a reason.”
Sullivan has said he plans to bring as much competition as possible into the quarterback room, including potentially drafting a quarterback every year.
Nonetheless, the Dolphins decided against using one of their picks on a QB. Sullivan said he still plans to bring in competition, but he was comfortable enough with Willis, Quinn Ewers and Cam Miller to use those picks on other positions.
“It came up a couple times throughout the course of the weekend,” Sullivan said. “We just felt like the better option was the other pick. Just a chance for a guy to get on the field and help us this year with where we are as a roster. Certainly not backing off what I said initially. We will take a quarterback every, or every other year when we have the opportunity. ... We like our room. We're in good shape.”
Miami also selected Ohio State tight end Will Kacmarek (third round), Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis (fourth), Missouri wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (fifth), Mississippi State tight end Seydou Traore (fifth) and Iowa edge rusher Max Llewellyn (seventh).
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Miami Dolphins first-round draft pick Chris Johnson holds a jersey during an NFL football news conference, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Miami Dolphins with the 12th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Miami Dolphins first-round draft pick Chris Johnson listens to questions from media during an NFL football news conference, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
Jon-Eric Sullivan, Miami Dolphins General Manager, speaks following the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Kadyn Proctor, the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft, shows his 1972 tattoo in honor of his stepfather while being introduced to local media during a press conference, Friday, April 24, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol)
