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Ranking top five Mr. Irrelevant players

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  April 12, 2023

  The 49ers began their journey in the 2023 NFL playoffs on Sunday, rematching the rival Seahawks, and they did so with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy under center. But Purdy, as has been well documented, isn't any old rookie. Unlike San Francisco's Opening Day starter, Trey Lance, he didn't enter as the handpicked face of the franchise. Instead, he literally entered as the last man standing, joining the 49ers as the 262nd and final selection of the 2022 NFL Draft -- Mr. Irrelevant himself.First coined in 1976 but technically documented since the draft's inception in 1936, the Mr. Irrelevant nickname has followed dozens of hopefuls over the decades. Purdy, 22, is just the latest to bear the title, stepping in as a seamle s emergency replacement for Jimmy Garoppolo, who in turn replaced an injured Lance early this season.With a strong playoff run, Purdy has a chance to quickly become one of the greatest Mr. Irrelevants to ever take the field. With that in mind, here's a look at five of the most relevant Mr. Irrelevants in NFL history:Drafted: No. 222 overall Gerrit Cole Jersey | Team: | College: KentuckyThe first Mr. Irrelevant to win a , Moore spent eight seasons as a linebacker -- seven with the Patriots, and one with the . Though he only made 19 career starts, posting his best numbers (90 tackles, four pa s deflections, one INT) in Cleveland, he carved out a role on special teams with the Pats, earning jobs under Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick. Logging two picks in limited snaps during Carroll's first year as head coach, he got a ring for the club's 2001 championship upset of the "Greatest Show on Turf" .Drafted: No. 253 overall | Team: | College: PennsylvaniaFinn didn't take a snap as a rookie, spending part of his first year on the Bears' practice squad. After that, however, he clawed his way onto the , who were fresh off a 13-3 breakout, and managed eight straight years as an active fullback. A dump-off option for , sharing a backfield with Edgerrin James, he saw his best production alongside Peyton's brother, Eli, with the (2003-2007). In New York, Finn topped 100 receiving yards Carlos Correa Jersey twice, helped block for All-Pro Tiki Barber, and got a ring when the G-Men upset the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. Drafted: No. 300 overall | Team: Francisco Liriano Jersey | College: Notre DameAn esteemed guard for Hall of Fame coach Frank Leahy at Notre Dame, Fischer returned to school after the Cardinals drafted him following his junior year, then officially kicked off his NFL career a year later, when the Cardinals drafted him again -- this time 10th overall. The big man started 48 games over five seasons, primarily at left tackle, becoming the first Mr. Irrelevant to earn a Pro Bowl nod (he finished with three). While also logging an occasional snap on defense, Fischer finished his brief but sterling career with an interception and a whopping 10 fumble recoveries.Drafted: No. 280 overall | Team: | College: ColgateLike Fischer, he had an unusual way of finding Mr. Irrelevant stardom. Despite the Eagles taking him at the end of the 1961 draft, the fullback/tight end instead fled for the West Coast, signing Marwin Gonzalez Jersey with the AFL's San Diego . He spent the next nine years starring under Hall of Fame coach Sid Gillman, deployed as both a runner and receiver in two-tight end sets. An athletic threat ahead of his time, MacKinnon totaled almost 2,500 yards from scrimmage for his career, notably logging 33 catches for 646 yards and six touchdowns at age 30, in 1968. The bruiser also spent a single season with the (1970), just as the AFL merged with the NFL, leaving the game having appeared in four different AFL championships, and winning one.Drafted: No. 256 overall | Team: | College: South CarolinaOf all the Mr. Irrelevants, none have made such a consistent impact over such a long period of time. One of only two kickers selected in 2009, Succop showed off his leg early, setting the Chiefs' rookie record for field goals (25) and tying an NFL record for rookie field-goal percentage (86.2). After five years in Kansas City, he spent six with the , three times eclipsing 100 points on the year. With the Buccaneers since 2020, he broke a franchise record for single-season points (136) as part of the club's Super Bowl championship team. And at 36, he's still got it, entering Week 14 currently 24 of 27 on field goals Preston Tucker Jersey for Tampa Bay. In his 14th season, he ranks in the top 35 among all-time kickers in both points (1,400+) and field-goal percentage (83.5%), ahead of big-name Pro Bowlers like Mark Moseley, Neil Rackers and . Now that we've ranked the top five, here's a look at the history of Mr. Irrelevants since the term was first coined in 1976. Purdy, out of Iowa State, was taken in 2022 with 262nd pick by the 49ers.YearPickPlayerTeamPositionSchool2021259Grant StuardBuccaneersLBHouston2020255Tae CrowderGiantsLBGeorgia2019254Caleb WilsonCardinalsTEUCLA2018256Trey QuinnCommandersWRSMU2017253Chad KellyBroncosQBOle Mi s2016253Kalan ReedTitansCBSouthern Mi s2015256Gerald ChristianCardinalsTELouisville2014256Lonnie BallentineTexansSMemphis2013254Justice CunninghamColtsTESouth Carolina2012253Chandler HarnishColtsQBNIU2011254Cheta OzougwuTexansDERice2010255Tim TooneLionsWRWeber State2009256Ryan SuccopChiefsKSouth Carolina2008252David VoboraRamsOLBIdaho2007255Ramzee RobinsonLionsCBAlabama2006255Kevin McMahanRaidersWRMaine2005255Andy StokesPatriotsTEWilliam Penn2004255Andre SommersellRaidersLBColorado State2003262Ryan HoagRaidersWRGustavus Adolphus2002261Ahmad MillerTexansDTUNLV2001246Tevita OfahengaueCardinalsTEBrigham Young2000254Michael GreenBearsDBNorthwestern State1999253Jim FinnBearsRBPennsylvania1998241Cam QuayleRavensTEWeber State1997240Ronnie McAdaPackersQBArmy1996254Sam Manuel49ersLBNew Mexico State1995249Michael ReedPanthersDBBoston College1994222Marty MoorePatriotsLBKentucky1993224Daron AlcornBuccaneersKAkron1992336Matt ElliottCommandersCMichigan1991334Larry WankeGiantsQBJohn Carroll1990331Demetrius DavisRaidersTENevada1989335Everett Ro sVikingsWROhio State1988333Jeff BeathardRamsWRSouthern Oregon1987335Norman Jeffe

  The 49ers began their journey in the 2023 NFL playoffs on Sunday, rematching the rival Seahawks, and they did so with rookie quarterback Brock Purdy under center. But Purdy, as has been well documented, isn't any old rookie. Unlike San Francisco's Opening Day starter, Trey Lance, he didn't enter as the handpicked face of the franchise. Instead, he literally entered as the last man standing, joining the 49ers as the 262nd and final selection of the 2022 NFL Draft -- Mr. Irrelevant himself.First coined in 1976 but technically documented since the draft's inception in 1936, the Mr. Irrelevant nickname has followed dozens of hopefuls over the decades. Purdy, 22, is just the latest to bear the title, stepping in as a seamle s emergency replacement for Jimmy Garoppolo, who in turn replaced an injured Lance early this season.With a strong playoff run, Purdy has a chance to quickly become one of the greatest Mr. Irrelevants to ever take the field. With that in mind, here's a look at five of the most relevant Mr. Irrelevants in NFL history:Drafted: No. 222 overall Gerrit Cole Jersey | Team: | College: KentuckyThe first Mr. Irrelevant to win a , Moore spent eight seasons as a linebacker -- seven with the Patriots, and one with the . Though he only made 19 career starts, posting his best numbers (90 tackles, four pa s deflections, one INT) in Cleveland, he carved out a role on special teams with the Pats, earning jobs under Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick. Logging two picks in limited snaps during Carroll's first year as head coach, he got a ring for the club's 2001 championship upset of the "Greatest Show on Turf" .Drafted: No. 253 overall | Team: | College: PennsylvaniaFinn didn't take a snap as a rookie, spending part of his first year on the Bears' practice squad. After that, however, he clawed his way onto the , who were fresh off a 13-3 breakout, and managed eight straight years as an active fullback. A dump-off option for , sharing a backfield with Edgerrin James, he saw his best production alongside Peyton's brother, Eli, with the (2003-2007). In New York, Finn topped 100 receiving yards Carlos Correa Jersey twice, helped block for All-Pro Tiki Barber, and got a ring when the G-Men upset the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Pick Six Newsletter Crafted By The Best NFL Experts Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. I agree to receive the "Pick Six Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the and acknowledge Paramount's . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. Drafted: No. 300 overall | Team: Francisco Liriano Jersey | College: Notre DameAn esteemed guard for Hall of Fame coach Frank Leahy at Notre Dame, Fischer returned to school after the Cardinals drafted him following his junior year, then officially kicked off his NFL career a year later, when the Cardinals drafted him again -- this time 10th overall. The big man started 48 games over five seasons, primarily at left tackle, becoming the first Mr. Irrelevant to earn a Pro Bowl nod (he finished with three). While also logging an occasional snap on defense, Fischer finished his brief but sterling career with an interception and a whopping 10 fumble recoveries.Drafted: No. 280 overall | Team: | College: ColgateLike Fischer, he had an unusual way of finding Mr. Irrelevant stardom. Despite the Eagles taking him at the end of the 1961 draft, the fullback/tight end instead fled for the West Coast, signing Marwin Gonzalez Jersey with the AFL's San Diego . He spent the next nine years starring under Hall of Fame coach Sid Gillman, deployed as both a runner and receiver in two-tight end sets. An athletic threat ahead of his time, MacKinnon totaled almost 2,500 yards from scrimmage for his career, notably logging 33 catches for 646 yards and six touchdowns at age 30, in 1968. The bruiser also spent a single season with the (1970), just as the AFL merged with the NFL, leaving the game having appeared in four different AFL championships, and winning one.Drafted: No. 256 overall | Team: | College: South CarolinaOf all the Mr. Irrelevants, none have made such a consistent impact over such a long period of time. One of only two kickers selected in 2009, Succop showed off his leg early, setting the Chiefs' rookie record for field goals (25) and tying an NFL record for rookie field-goal percentage (86.2). After five years in Kansas City, he spent six with the , three times eclipsing 100 points on the year. With the Buccaneers since 2020, he broke a franchise record for single-season points (136) as part of the club's Super Bowl championship team. And at 36, he's still got it, entering Week 14 currently 24 of 27 on field goals Preston Tucker Jersey for Tampa Bay. In his 14th season, he ranks in the top 35 among all-time kickers in both points (1,400+) and field-goal percentage (83.5%), ahead of big-name Pro Bowlers like Mark Moseley, Neil Rackers and . Now that we've ranked the top five, here's a look at the history of Mr. Irrelevants since the term was first coined in 1976. Purdy, out of Iowa State, was taken in 2022 with 262nd pick by the 49ers.YearPickPlayerTeamPositionSchool2021259Grant StuardBuccaneersLBHouston2020255Tae CrowderGiantsLBGeorgia2019254Caleb WilsonCardinalsTEUCLA2018256Trey QuinnCommandersWRSMU2017253Chad KellyBroncosQBOle Mi s2016253Kalan ReedTitansCBSouthern Mi s2015256Gerald ChristianCardinalsTELouisville2014256Lonnie BallentineTexansSMemphis2013254Justice CunninghamColtsTESouth Carolina2012253Chandler HarnishColtsQBNIU2011254Cheta OzougwuTexansDERice2010255Tim TooneLionsWRWeber State2009256Ryan SuccopChiefsKSouth Carolina2008252David VoboraRamsOLBIdaho2007255Ramzee RobinsonLionsCBAlabama2006255Kevin McMahanRaidersWRMaine2005255Andy StokesPatriotsTEWilliam Penn2004255Andre SommersellRaidersLBColorado State2003262Ryan HoagRaidersWRGustavus Adolphus2002261Ahmad MillerTexansDTUNLV2001246Tevita OfahengaueCardinalsTEBrigham Young2000254Michael GreenBearsDBNorthwestern State1999253Jim FinnBearsRBPennsylvania1998241Cam QuayleRavensTEWeber State1997240Ronnie McAdaPackersQBArmy1996254Sam Manuel49ersLBNew Mexico State1995249Michael ReedPanthersDBBoston College1994222Marty MoorePatriotsLBKentucky1993224Daron AlcornBuccaneersKAkron1992336Matt ElliottCommandersCMichigan1991334Larry WankeGiantsQBJohn Carroll1990331Demetrius DavisRaidersTENevada1989335Everett Ro sVikingsWROhio State1988333Jeff BeathardRamsWRSouthern Oregon1987335Norman Jeffe