Memphis DB Minor Shines as ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ in Pats’ Draft: A Game-Changer in the Making!

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots have chosen cornerback Kobee Minor from Memphis with the final pick in the NFL Draft. Embracing the “Mr. Irrelevant” title, Minor sees it as a badge of honor. “I love it,” he said. “It adds fuel to my fire.”

Growing up in Dallas, Texas, Minor was not a top high school recruit. He started at Texas Tech and later transferred to Indiana and Memphis. In his college career, he made 80 tackles, two sacks, and defended 12 passes over 44 games.

Before the draft, the Patriots were the only team to invite him for a visit. Minor made a strong impression, despite being overlooked by others. Patriots executive vice president Eliot Wolf noted that some scouts missed Minor due to a hamstring injury and his transfer history.

Interestingly, the Patriots didn’t initially have the last pick. They traded with the Kansas City Chiefs, giving up their seventh-round pick (228) for two later picks (251 and 257). Wolf praised Minor’s movement skills and competitiveness, stating, “We were excited to add him.”

This is the third time the Patriots have made the last pick. Previous “Mr. Irrelevant” selections were linebacker Marty Moore in 1994 and tight end Andy Stokes in 2005. Moore still ranks second in games played among Mr. Irrelevant picks, behind kicker Ryan Succop.

As part of his unique journey, Minor will participate in “Irrelevant Week” in Newport Beach, California, a tradition since 1976 that celebrates being picked last as a positive achievement rather than a stigma.

Spending draft day at home, Minor felt a mix of hope and anxiety as he awaited the call. “My heart was racing,” he recalled. “I’m just glad they took a chance on me.”

However, the path ahead won’t be easy. The cornerback position for the Patriots is quite competitive, led by starters Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III. With over 200 cornerbacks selected in the draft, including many highly regarded athletes, Minor knows he has to work hard to prove himself.

Stats show that around 1 in 10 final picks in the draft make a significant impact in the league. Despite the odds, Minor’s journey highlights that passion and determination can defy expectations. With hard work and the right mindset, he hopes to carve out a place for himself in the NFL. For more details on this year’s NFL Draft, you can check the NFL’s official site here.

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