Alabama safety Jaylen Key said he’s going to « lean into » the Mr. Irrelevant title after he was picked last on Day 3 of the NFL draft by the Jets.
— Alabama safety Jaylen Key said it was « pretty nerve-wracking » waiting seven hours Saturday to hear his name called on Day 3 of the NFL draft. When he learned he had been picked by the New York Jets, he knew exactly what that meant.
He was Mr. Irrelevant.
« It means everything; that’s part of the title, » Key said on a video conference with New York-area reporters. « You just have to take it and lean into it. For me, I’m definitely going to lean into every bit of it. I’m Mr. Irrelevant this year, and we’re going to make something shake, for sure. »
The Jets selected Key with the final pick in the seventh round, No. 257 overall — the franchise’s first Mr. Irrelevant choice since 1969. That year, they picked last after winning Super Bowl III. This time, it was a compensatory selection.
The Mr. Irrelevant title has grown in stature in recent years, thanks, in large part, to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who helped his team to the Super Bowl last season after being the final player drafted in 2022.
