Los Angeles Rams select Toledo DT Desjuan Johnson as Mr. Irrelevant, last pick of 2023 NFL draft

The Los Angeles Rams selected Toledo defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson as the last pick in the 2023 NFL draft on Saturday, making him Mr. Irrelevant.

Johnson spent five seasons at Toledo, and in 2021 he was on the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award and Bronko Naguski Trophy. He had 70 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss that season, and added 65 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks and an interception his final year.

The Rams traded to land the pick, No. 259, in a deal with the Houston Texans that allowed them to select Alabama linebacker Henry To'oTo'o with pick No. 167 in the fifth round.

Last year's Mr. Irrelevant was Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy, who started the season as the San Francisco 49ers' third-string quarterback. When Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo both got hurt, Purdy stepped into the starting role and won eight straight games, leading the team to the NFC championship game. He passed for 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions during the campaign.

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There have been 47 Mr. Irrelevants since the title was first bestowed in 1976 when Dayton wide receiver Kelvin Kirk was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The New England Patriots selected Kentucky linebacker Marty Moore with the last pick in 1994 and he was part of the Super Bowl 36 championship team. Kansas City Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop was Mr. Irrelevant in 2006 and won Super Bowl 55 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Rams landed a total of 14 picks a the draft in which they did not have first-round pick. They acquired TCU guard Steve Avila, Tennessee linebacker Byron Young, Wake Forest lineman Kobie Turner and Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who won two national championships in his college career.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft 2023 Mr. Irrelevant: Desjuan Johnson of Toledo