New Jersey’s Florham Park — For Alabama safety Jaylen Key, waiting seven hours on Saturday to hear his name called on Day 3 of the NFL draft was “pretty nerve-wracking.” He understood exactly what it meant when he heard the New York Jets had selected him.
Mr. Irrelevant, that was him.
“It means everything; that’s part of the title,” Key declared during a video conference with reporters in the New York region. All you have to do is accept it and give yourself over. I will most surely lean into every aspect of it. We’re going to make something shake, I promise. I’m Mr. Irrelevant this year.”
Key was the first Mr. Irrelevant selection made by the Jets since 1969. It was taken with the final pick in the seventh round, No. 257 overall. The Jets picked last that year following their victory in Super Bowl III. This time, the choice was compensatory.
The Mr. Irrelevant title has gained popularity in recent years, thanks in great part to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who helped his club reach the Super Bowl last season after being the penultimate player selected in 2022.
Grinning, he added, “We’ve got some shoes to fill behind Brock, but I can tell you this: We’re going to make something shake.”
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Key will have Irrelevant Week this summer. It all started in 1976 in Newport Beach, California. Paul Salata, a former NFL wide receiver, started it to honor the final pick in the draft each year. The week includes a trip to Disneyland, a prize presentation, and more.
Officials from the Jets relished the occasion, too. Joe Douglas, the general manager, consulted his scouts. He did this in the draft room before deciding. By then, his draft board was gone . They agreed on Key. He’s a smart, strong safety who started for coach Nick Saban. Each scout had recommended him after his one season with the Crimson Tide.
Having worked in the NFL for almost 20 years, Douglas stated, “Never had a Mr. Irrelevant before.” That was enjoyable.
After attending Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida, Key, 24, played five seasons at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. In 2022, he led the team with three interceptions and was named an honorable mention for the All-Conference USA squad. He enrolled in May 2023 at Alabama after transferring.
Key claimed that Saban was the reason he chose Alabama, “to learn from one of the best defensive minds in the game.” Key started twelve games at free safety for Alabama in a single season, with one interception, two passes defensed, and sixty tackles. He attended the scouting combine, but he most likely damaged his draft standing by clocking a 40 in 4.6 seconds. His selection was the tenth for an Alabama player.
“I describe my game as just being a physical playmaker in the backfield,” Key, who is six feet one and 208 pounds, said.
Key ought to have a strong shot at making the Jets roster. Their safety group includes Ashtyn Davis, a professional backup, and veteran Chuck Clark. “His football IQ and intelligence, his instinct, his length,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said, enumerating Key’s qualities. We’re thrilled to have him, and he has a great chance to compete because his play speed is far faster than his timed speed.”
