NFL Draft: Jets put Mr. Irrelevant moniker on safety Jaylen Key
Melanie Salata Fitch announces Alabama's Jaylen Key as the final pick by the Jets during the third day of the NFL football draft, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Detroit. Credit: AP/Jeff Roberson
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Meet Mr. Irrelevant 2024: Jaylen Key. He’ll call MetLife Stadium home this season.
The Jets drafted Key, a safety from Alabama, with the last pick of the NFL Draft, No. 257. There’s notoriety in that, and of course the moniker Mr. Irrelevant, and Key is embracing it.
“It means everything,” he said. “That’s a part of the title. You’ve just got to take it and lean into it. I’m definitely going to lean into it, every bit of it. I’m the Mr. Irrelevant this year and we’re going to make something shake for sure.”
Key said “it was nerve-wracking” waiting to hear his name called. His agent already was receiving calls from teams interested in signing him as an undrafted rookie free agent. Key was in his garage while his family was watching the draft in the living room of his house when the Jets finally called before the last pick.
“That’s when I ran back in the house,” Key said.
Key played four years at UAB and transferred to Alabama for one season. In 12 games with Alabama, he had 60 tackles and one interception. Jets general manager Joe Douglas described Key as “a guy that he’s been given nothing and had to earn everything” and said he has the “right kind of warrior mentality, makeup perseverance” that will help him.
The most successful and celebrated Mr. Irrelevant is 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who was taken No. 262 overall in 2022. Purdy is 21-6 as a starting quarterback, playoffs included. He made the Pro Bowl last year and helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl.
“We got some shoes to fill behind Brock,” Key said, “but I can tell you this: We’re going to make something shake for sure.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
