CHICAGO — His NFL future may be an uncertainty, regardless, Kalan Reed will forever be known in the football community as Mr. Irrelevant of the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Tennessee Titans, after completing a trade with the Denver Broncos to acquire the 253rd overall pick on Saturday, drafted the Southern Mississippi cornerback with the draft’s final selection. Reed is the 41st Mr. Irrelevant after former wide receiver Paul Salata began the tradition way back in 1976.
To sweeten the deal, Mr. Irrelevant is treated to a week of festivities, this year being sponsored by the Foundation for the Undefeated. The celebration will commence from June 3-5, and take place in Los Angeles. Reed will have a banquet held in his honor at the Balboa Bay Resort, where he will be presented with the Lowsman Trophy, awarded annually to Mr. Irrelevant. He’ll also receive a parade on Balboa Island and a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland. He’ll also receive a financial award, though the amount has never been revealed.
He inherits the crown from Louisville tight end Gerald Christian, who was selected with the final pick of last year’s draft by the Arizona Cardinals. During the final preseason game last year against the Broncos, Christian tore the MCL in his left knee, and was placed on season-ending injured reserve the next day.
On a more serious note, Reed was a 2015 first-team All-Conference USA selection. He set career highs during his final season for the Golden Eagles, recording 56 tackles, four interceptions, two of which were returned for interceptions, and a single-season school record 19 pass break-ups. Further, the 22-year-old was ranked the No. 54 prospect on the Pro Football Focus draft board.
The Alabama native likely saw his draft stock rise after posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds and a vertical leap of 41.5 inches.
Kalan Reed is a hell of a player. If he gets given a shot he can be far more than Mr Irrelevant: pic.twitter.com/gD3dAlSoBt
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) April 30, 2016
Even though he was drafted by the Titans, he still received a Broncos jersey in the end. Welcome to the NFL, Kalan.
