With the No. 259 overall pick (7th round) in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected Desjuan Johnson, a defensive lineman out of the University of Toledo. Considering it was the final pick of the NFL Draft, Desjuan was named this year’s Mr. Irrelevant – a title held by quarterback Brock Purdy in 2022.
Johnson is a 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive end who spent five seasons with the Toledo Rockets in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). He played in 88 games and recorded 210 tackles, 45.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 forced fumbles throughout his college football career.
Desjuan really came into his own over the past two seasons, totaling 135 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, and 2 forced fumbles in 27 games with Toledo. He’ll have an uphill battle to climb if he wants to make the Rams’ 53-man roster, but it’s something he’s willing to earn.
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Other Players Who Were Honored as Mr. Irrelevant at the NFL Draft
Being selected as Mr. Irrelevant at the NFL Draft is something that sounds demeaning, but players rarely take exception to it – after all, they achieved their lifelong dream of being drafted by an NFL team and earning an opportunity that not many players get to experience. It’s a tremendous honor, regardless.
Kelvin Kirk was the first player to wear the honor after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 487 pick in the 1976 NFL Draft – when the name Mr. Irrelevant was first used. Unfortunately, Kirk didn’t make the team and was eventually cut before spending the next seven seasons in the CFL.
Over the past 45+ years, Mr. Irrelevant has struggled to make a name for himself in the NFL. While Desjuan Johnson could rewrite that ship, he has some pretty big shoes to fill after Brock Purdy (last year’s Mr. Irrelevant) helped lead San Francisco to an NFC Championship game appearance.
With that said, let’s take a look at the past 20 players to be named Mr. Irrelevant at the NFL Draft.
20. Brock Purdy – 2022
Brock Purdy was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 262 overall (7th round) pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He just completed his rookie season and it was one no one could’ve predicted as he was thrust into the starting role towards the end of the season and played in the NFC Championship game.
Purdy won all five of the games he played in during the regular season, throwing for 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions – he also ran for one TD. He then went 2-1 in the playoffs, throwing for 569 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions – coming just one game shy of a Super Bowl appearance.
19. Grant Stuard – 2021
Grant Stuard was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 259 overall (7th round) pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He just completed his second season in the NFL, but has already been traded once and has struggled to make a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball, but is a special teams player.
He spent last season with the Indianapolis Colts and, while he didn’t take a single snap on defense, he ended up taking 264 snaps on special teams – which amounts to 67% of their total special teams snaps. He finished the season with 11 tackles on special teams after recording 15 total tackles his rookie year.
18. Tae Crowder – 2020
Tae Crowder was drafted by the New York Giants with the No. 255 overall (7th round) pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent the past three seasons with the Giants and had a career year in 2021 (starting all 17 games at inside linebacker), but was benched and eventually waived towards the end of last season.
In 41 games played and 31 games started with the Giants, Crowder had 232 tackles (including 130 in 2021), 9 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 27, one week after being sent to the Giants’ practice squad.
17. Caleb Wilson – 2019
Caleb Wilson was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 254 overall (7th round) pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. He failed to make the team’s opening week roster and was signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad one week before the regular season started. He has only played in five games in his career.
Between 2019 and 2021, Wilson spent time with the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and Denver Broncos – most of which was spent on the practice squad. He played 5 games with the Eagles in 2020, but only as a special teams player. His most recent NFL contract expired on January 8, 2022.
16. Trey Quinn – 2018
Trey Quinn was drafted by the Washington Commanders with the No. 256 overall (7th round) pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent the first two seasons of his career with Washington and had 35 catches off 57 targets for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns – playing in more than half of their offensive snaps in that time.
Quinn was waived ahead of the 2020 season and was immediately snagged by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but only played in one game that season. He spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos between 2021 and 2022, eventually signing a contract with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL in 2023.
15. Chad Kelly – 2017
Chad Kelly was drafted by the Denver Broncos with the No. 253 overall (7th round) pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He missed his entire rookie season after having surgery on his wrist, but was given an opportunity to compete for a backup role in 2018 – which he eventually earned, working behind Case Keenum.
Kelly was arrested in October 2018, which ultimately led to his release from the Broncos. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts in May 2019, but only lasted one season with the team before being released in September 2020. He last played for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, serving as their backup in 2022.
14. Kalan Reed – 2016
Kalan Reed was drafted by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 253 overall (7th round) pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. He started his rookie season as part of the team’s practice squad, but ended up playing in four games during the 2016 season – a majority of his snaps (which were limited) came on special teams
Reed played in three games during the 2017 season, most of which on special teams, but struggled to make a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball. He was released by the Titans after breaking his foot in August 2018 and suffered a career-ending injury with the Seattle Seahawks the following year.
13. Gerald Christian – 2015
Gerald Christian was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 256 overall (7th round) pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. He missed his entire rookie season due to an MCL tear during the team’s final preseason game and was released by the team prior to the start of the 2016 season before joining the Buffalo Bills.
He appeared in three games with the Bills in 2016 and recorded one catch for 14 yards, but spent most of his time on the practice squad. Buffalo released him in March 2017 and he returned to the Cardinals for a couple of months before joining the Alliance of American Football – a league that folded in its first season.
12. Lonnie Ballentine – 2014
Lonnie Ballentine was drafted by the Houston Texans with the No. 256 overall (7th round) pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. He only played in four games with the team between 2015 and 2016, most of which was spent on special teams – he only played in about 36% of the special teams snaps in those four games.
With that said, Ballentine did take 36 career snaps on the defensive side of the ball – recording 3 tackles and 1 pass defensed (all of which came in 2015). While he failed to stand out on the roster, injuries didn’t help his case as he was placed on the injured reserve in both 2016 and 2017 before being released.
11. Justice Cunningham – 2013
Justice Cunningham was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 254 overall (7th round) pick of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played in one game with the Colts before being waived and signed by the St. Louis Rams. He remained with the Rams for two seasons until his release ahead of the 2016 season.
Cunningham only recorded one catch for 4 yards during his rookie season – it ended up being the only catch of his career. He spent most of his three-year career on the practice squad and struggled to impress his coaches in St. Louis and Indianapolis. He hasn’t played professional football since the 2015 season.
10. Chandler Harnish – 2012
Chandler Harnish was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 253 overall (7th round) pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. He never had the opportunity to play in an NFL game, but competed twice for a backup role with the Colts – once behind Matt Hesselbeck in 2013 and again behind Andrew Luck in 2014.
He never earned that backup role and was waived by the team ahead of the 2014 season. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings and was the team’s backup for one game in 2014, but was released shortly after. He spent a few months with the Arizona Cardinals, but was released ahead of the 2015 season.
9. Cheta Ozougwu – 2011
Cheta Ozougwu was drafted by the Houston Texans with the No. 254 overall (7th round) pick of the 2011 NFL Draft. He failed to see any playing time his rookie season and was eventually signed by the Chicago Bears in April 2012 – he led the team in sacks (3.0) during the 2012 preseason and made the final roster.
Between 2012 and 2013, Ozougwu played in nine games and recorded his first (and only) sack during the 2013 season. He finished his career with just 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, and 1 forced fumble. He signed with the New Orleans Saints in May 2014, but was released a year later after failing a physical.
8. Tim Toone – 2010
Tim Toone was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the No. 255 overall (7th round) pick of the 2010 NFL Draft. The wide receiver failed to make the Lions’ 53-man roster two years in a row and spent his rookie year on the practice squad before being released by the team a couple weeks into the 2011 season.
Between 2011 and 2013, Toone spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints. He made the 53-man roster once in his career, doing so with the Falcons in 2012, but was cut prior to Week 1 due to a hamstring injury. He now works as an ICU nurse in Arizona.
7. Ryan Succop – 2009
Ryan Succop was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 256 overall (7th round) pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. Of all the players to hold the Mr. Irrelevant title, Succop might be the greatest to ever do it. He has played in the league for the past 14 years, most recently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.
Throughout his 14-year career, Succop has made 320 of his 386 (82.9%) field goal attempts and 470 of his 489 (96.1%) extra point attempts. He has hit at least 30 field goals in seven different seasons and led the NFL in field goals made (42) in 2017 with the Tennessee Titans. He also won a Super Bowl in 2020.
6. David Vobora – 2008
David Vobora was drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 252 overall (7th round) pick of the 2008 NFL Draft. He became the first Mr. Irrelevant since Marty Moore in 1994 to start a game his rookie season and ended up playing in 8 games that year before earning a full-time starting role during the 2009 season.
He ended up playing in 26 games and starting 15 games between 2009 and 2010 – he recorded 83 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 2 passes defensed, and 1 forced fumble during that time. He also played in six games with the Seattle Seahawks in 2011, but that was the last of his short NFL career.
5. Ramzee Robinson – 2007
Ramzee Robinson was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the No. 255 overall (7th round) pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. He started his career on the practice squad, but injuries to other players allowed him to play in six games as a rookie – he recorded 7 tackles in those games. He played in another 13 games in 2008.
Towards the end of his 2008 campaign, he received a lot of criticism for taunting a wide receiver following an incompletion. He was released from the Lions prior to the 2009 season, but played in seven games that year – split between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles – before fading out of the NFL.
4. Kevin McMahan – 2006
Kevin McMahan was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 255 overall (7th round) pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was given several opportunities to make a team over the course of the next four years, but struggled to make a name for himself and never played in an NFL regular season game.
McMahan was cut from the Raiders before the 2006 season and had a breakout performance with the New York Giants during the 2007 preseason, but it only landed him on the practice squad. He once again fell short of a roster spot with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008, despite another impressive preseason.
3. Andy Stokes – 2005
Andy Stokes was drafted by the New England Patriots with the No. 255 overall (7th round) pick of the 2005 NFL Draft. He had three opportunities to make an NFL roster, but failed to make it past the practice squad or offseason with the Patriots in 2005, Arizona Cardinals in 2005, and Seattle Seahawks in 2006.
Stokes never played a game at the NFL level, but had an impressive college career at William Penn University. Between his sophomore year and senior year, he recorded 104 catches for 1,528 yards and 10 touchdowns at the tight end position. He earned first-team All-MSFA honors for his efforts as a senior.
2. Andre Sommersell – 2004
Andre Sommersell was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 255 overall (7th round) pick of the 2004 NFL Draft. He struggled to make an NFL 53-man roster, but had two opportunities to do so – including the Raiders upon being drafted in 2004 and the Indianapolis Colts between 2004 and 2005.
Sommersell went on to spend time with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2006 and the Berlin Thunder of the NFL Europe League in 2007. He has also been the head coach of the Dubai Stallions in the Emirate American Football League – he also served as a player with the team.
1. Ryan Hoag – 2003
Ryan Hoag was drafted by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 262 overall (7th round) pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. He was only on an active roster for three weeks between 2003 and 2008 – though he didn’t actually play in those three games and struggled to make it off a practice squad throughout his five-year career.
In addition to spending time with the Raiders, Hoag worked with the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He also spent time with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL in 2007 and New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009. He hasn’t played football since.
What Did Desjuan Johnson Say About the NFL Draft?
Desjuan Johnson is excited to be among those honored as Mr. Irrelevant at the NFL Draft and is looking forward to showing the Los Angeles Rams that they made the right choice in selecting him with the 259th overall pick. He knows he’ll have to earn his spot on the team, but he’s willing to give it everything he has.
“Just be getting picked, final pick, first pick, middle pick, everything [is] unique. I’m very blessed. I was blessed that God picked [me] and I’m blessed that I can continue to play the game that I love and I’m going to give it my all up there on the field and at practice,” Desjuan Johnson said, according to ESPN.
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He also mentioned his father, Dion Johnson – who passed away when Desjuan was just four years old – and is excited to learn from one of his favorite players, Aaron Donald. “Just to learn from him, from watching film and now get to sit next to him and just take notes, I’m going to just be like a newborn.”
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