For the second time, the Broncos have a Mr. Irrelevant.

The Broncos on Saturday selected Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock with the No. 257 and last pick in the NFL draft in Pittsburgh. As the final player chosen, he is in line to be honored with some fun-filled activities to celebrate the underdog.

The first Mr. Irrelevant was selected in 1976. The only previous time the Broncos had one was quarterback Chad Kelly going last in the 2017 draft.

“I feel extremely grateful and excited to get ready to help the Broncos win,’’ Murdock said. “I know a little bit about Mr. Irrelevant but the main thing is I got an opportunity and I’m trying to make the most out of it and help us win.”

Murdock set a college record with 17 forced fumbles in his Buffalo career. Many analysts had projected him to be taken around the fifth round.

Since the start of Mr. Irrelevant in 1976, the event has been celebrated in Newport Beach, Calif., outside Los Angeles. However, Irrelevant Week CEO Melanie Salata Fitch told The Denver Gazette on Saturday there is consideration to having the celebration in Denver in June.

“If the Broncos embrace the idea, then we’ll design it in Denver,” Fitch said. “If the Broncos say they’d rather not, we’ll bring him to California.”

Fitch announced the final pick at the draft while her husband Ed Fitch held up a jersey that read “Mr. Irrelevant” and had the number “257.” Fitch said they then talked to Murdock on the phone.

“He said he’s game to be celebrated and that works for us,” Fitch said.

The Broncos also had the next-to-last-pick in the draft and took Utah tight end Dallen Bentley at No. 256. General manager George Paton said other teams wanted to trade for No. 257 because it was “a hot pick.”

“I feel great,’’ Paton said. “We were just trying to decide who would be better to (be Mr. Irrelevant). I think it’s cool.”

Broncos coach Sean Payton joked that Bentley is the Mr. Irrelevant “vice president” in the event Murdock can’t fulfill his duties.

“He’s relevant now in case he’s asked to step up to be irrelevant,” Fitch said of Bentley.

Murdock called it “an emotional moment” being drafted and that he was “trying to hold it all together in front of his family” after he learned he was drafted.

Paton compared Murdock favorably with Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who had 14 career forced fumbles, and was taken No. 43 in the second round by Miami.

“Everyone talked about the Texas Tech guy, and he was amazing,’’ Paton said. “(But) if you look at (Murdock’s) career and all the forced fumbles he had, just a nose for the ball. Relentless motor. Think he could be a good special teamer.”

Murdock now wants to take his niche of forcing turnovers to the NFL.

“Meticulous intent and being kind of obsessed with it,’’ he said of his mindset. “Now I’m just ready to go do that on the field and help us get some wins.”

Key’s brother among 14 Broncos college free agents

The Broncos agreed Saturday to sign at least 14 undrafted free agents, including Nebraska wide receiver Dane Key, the brother of Denver cornerback Devon Key.

Dane Key’s agency confirmed the move. He had 39 catches for 452 yards in 2025.

Other undrafted free agents who agreed to sign, according to sources and verified published reports, include Nebraska outside linebacker Dasan McCullough, Texas A&M inside linebacker Taurean York, cornerbacks Brent Austin of California, Will Wright of Tennessee and Ahmari Harvey of Georgia Tech, wide receivers, Cam Ross of Virginia, Sean Brown of Charlotte, Kolbe Katsis of Northern Arizona, and Joseph Manjack of TCU, guard Gavin Ortega of Weber State, tackle Tyler Miller of Iowa State, safety Parker Robertson of Oklahoma State and long snapper Luke Basso of Oregon.

McCullough will receive a $20,000 signing bonus and $245,000 total guarantee. Payton coached his father Deland McCullough, a running back when Payton was a Philadelphia assistant in 1997. Deland is now the running backs coach at Oklahoma.

Denver has 80 players on their roster, including seven draft picks, and the offseason limit is 90. The Broncos will make any necessary moves to keep their roster at 90 before college free agents sign prior to a May 8-10 rookie minicamp.

Also Saturday, a source said that Colorado cornerback Preston Hodge will sign as an undrafted free agent with Jacksonville.

Willis to 49ers in fourth

Carver Willis was projected by many to be a sixth-round pick, but he went a good bit earlier than that.

The former Durango High School and Washington star was selected by San Francisco with the No. 127 pick in the fourth round.

“I knew I was on their radar, but no, I had no idea that they were about to take me,’’ Willis said. “So, it was a pretty big surprise. … So, just fired up to be a part of it.”

Willis had a formal interview with the 49ers at the combine. While he was a tackle for five seasons at Kansas State and one at Washington, he could be moved inside to center or guard in the NFL.

“That’s something every team talked to me about,’’ Willis said. “So yeah, I’m happy to do it no matter where (the 49ers) need me on the line. I’ve kind of said this whole time. I just want a shot in a playbook, and anywhere they need me on the line, I’m game. But every team talked about interior (line).”

Willis was the third former Colorado high school player taken in the draft after two had gone in Friday night’s third round. Jacksonville selected offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, from Denver’s Thomas Jefferson High School and Oregon at No. 88. Las Vegas took offensive lineman Trey Zuhn, from Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins and Texas A&M, at No. 91.

Nix has ankle “recheck”

Payton said quarterback Bo Nix recently had a routine previously scheduled appointment in Alabama to have the right ankle looked at that he broke in the playoffs Jan. 17 against Buffalo. Nix was looked at by Dr. Norman Waldrop, who performed the surgery Jan. 20.

“He had a recheck that was scheduled,” Payton said. “He’s doing great. We’re excited about his progress. Nothing to report.”

Payton and Broncos owner Greg Penner said in late March at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix that Nix would be ready for the May 4 start of offseason drills.