The last pick of the NFL Draft is known as Mr. Irrelevant. He will always have the distinction that comes with being drafted into the NFL. But that player often does not have much of an impact (if any) on the team that selects him. However, while he may not be relevant to his team, that player is relevant to many bettors who put money down on Mr. Irrelevant prop bets at their favorite sportsbooks.
This year, the draft’s final pick belongs to the San Francisco 49ers.
Mr. Irrelevant Prop Bets
DraftKings kept it simple with its Mr. Irrelevant prop bets. Rather than post odds for every potential position, DraftKings has odds on just two options:
- Final pick of the draft to be a Defensive Player or Punter -115
- Final pick of the draft to be an Offensive Player or Kicker -115
Since 1976, only 17 defensive players got selected with the last draft pick, but no punters. On the offensive side of the ball, there have been 29 players selected (including two kickers). Over the last 10 years, the breakdown has been a lot closer, six on offense and four on defense.
Caesars took a different angle and offered odds on specific positions:
- Defensive Lineman Or EDGE +550
- Wide Receiver Or Tight End +550
- Cornerback +550
- Quarterback +550
- Running Back Or Fullback +600
- Offensive Lineman +600
- Linebacker +600
- Safety +800
- Kicker/Punter/Long Snapper +2000
History favors wide receivers or tight ends; since 1976, 15 got selected with the draft’s final pick (seven receivers and eight tight ends).
What The 49ers Need Heading Into The 2022 NFL Draft
Teams tend to go for the best available player in the first round but look more to cover specific needs as the draft moves on. The 49ers do not have a first-round pick; their first comes in the second round at No. 61. They also have two in the third.
With those three picks, they will likely target their more significant needs, interior offensive line and secondary. Since Deebo Samuel wants out, they may also target a wide receiver.
Day Three, however, will be a busy one for the 49ers as they have six picks, one in the fourth, one in the fifth, three in the sixth, and then the last pick of the draft (No. 262). With those selections, they will probably try to add some depth to critical positions, specifically the defensive line, edge rusher, and running back.
If there is an offensive lineman they like available that late in the draft, they could target him.
Mr. Irrelevant Betting Analysis
Players that are still available that late in the draft are also guys the 49ers could pick up via free agency once the draft is over for less money. But by drafting a player, they do not risk losing him to another team, and he’s locked into a very affordable four-year contract.
So, it is not a pick the 49ers will waste.
San Francisco is a run-first team that plays dominant defense. After losing two of their starting offensive linemen in free agency, they will undoubtedly look for options in the draft. While they’ll likely target someone in the early rounds, as important as the offensive line is to their gameplan, it would not be shocking to see them go with another at No. 262 and make him this year’s Mr. Irrelevant.
Also read: NFL Draft Betting: Plus-Money Plays For Where Players Are Picked
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