Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy took the San Franscico 49ers to Super Bowl firmament only to be let down by a 49er defense that was unable to make a stop in last week’s Super Bowl. Purdy was the last player drafted in 2022. The quest to find another Mr. Irrelevant in this year’s NFL draft to take one’s team to the Super Bowl takes on immediacy as teams are getting for the NFL draft. This year’s draft is Detroit from April 25th – 27th.
Quarterback Prospects such as Michael Pratt frpm Tulane, or Davius Robinson from North Carolina Central come to mind. Other college phenoms will be uncovered before the draft, as tires will be kicked, and no stone will be unturned. Finding a player that is a right fit for one’s system, or having the ability to tailor one’s system to the player is a daunting task. Part of the Purdy conversation is that it can happen. Highly unlikely that either Pratt or Robinson will be the last player take in this year’s draft. It is also highly unlikely that either one will enjoy the NFL success that Purdy to date has enjoyed.
Searching for the nexg Mr. Irrelevant
Perhaps a more realistic way to spend one’s time and resources in looking for the next Mr. Irrelevant. Perhaps one should to search for the next featured running back in your backfield. Every college team has a running back, some multiple, many have had huge success. There are seven rounds in the draft, finding a feature back with a low draft selection is possible. Isiah Pacheco, the starting running back for the Kansas City Chiefs just completed his second year with the team. Pacheco was drafted by Kansas City in 2022 in the 7th round out of Rutgers. He has gained 1,765 yards on the ground in his brief Chief history in helping the Chiefs win the last two Super Bowls.
Terrell Davis was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1995 in the 6th round out of the University of Georgia. When pre-season camp started that summer, he was the sixth running back on the depth chart. Davis ended up starting the first game of the season and gained over 1,000 yards in his first season. In 1996 he gained over 1,500 yards. In 1997 he improved and gained over 1,750 yards, while in 1998, he became just one of just eight running backs who have gained over 2,000 yards per season. The Broncos won back-to-back Super Bowls in ’97 and ’98 with Davis as the feature back. History has a way of repeating itself. Pacheco is just following Davis’s path. The question is not who is the top running back in the 2024 NFL draft, but who is the next running back to follow in Pacheco’s footsteps?
Running Back Prospects
Camar Wheaton, out of SMU, only gained 410 yards rushing this past year with a 4.9 yards per carry average. At 5.10” and 203 pounds, Wheaton runs a 4.30. Yes, that is an eye opener. Find a crease and he is gone. Wheaton is a sleeper and may turn out to be the best running back in the NFL draft.
Armoni Goodwin, last briefly seen at LSU in 2022 averaged 5.9 yards per carry in limited time for the Tigers. At 5’8” and 200 pounds, Goodwin runs a 4.42. Goodwin is a player that may not be seen in one’s 2023 NFL mock draft, but needs to be given some attention.
Kamarro Edmonds saw limited playing action this past year at East Carolina. The 5’11” 220 running back averaged 4.8 yards per carry. Edmonds may not be readily seen in 2023 fantasy RB rankings, but should not be overlooked as the next Mr. Irrelevant.
Barry Schustermann
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