Good morning Broncos Country!
We are down to our final recap of the Denver Broncos draft picks with Mr. Irrelevant himself: Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock. This pick was one that was universally loved by fans. Especially after the team ignored inside linebacker through their first six picks of the draft and, frankly, they got a downhill baller despite it being the final pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Let’s review the pick and, if you missed any, here are the others I went through this week:
Potent quotables – Red Murdock focus
Paton and Payton quotes on Murdock
On the other
two seventh-round picks, S Miles Scot and LB Red Murdock
Sean Payton: “[S] Miles [Scott] we were real familiar with, talking with ‘Palcho’ (T Alex Palczewski) and [WR] Pat [Bryant]. These guys were teammates. Illinois had a handful of players drafted. It would be very normal, especially when a player’s younger on our roster, [and] has been on the same team. His name came up and up. He went in with Pat as a receiver and then was converted. So with both our players, his name came up a number of times. Throughout the process, I think we became very familiar with him. So there’s versatility, special-teams flex.”
George Paton: “With Miles, I think the ball skills. I think he had seven interceptions throughout his career. [He is] very physical for a former receiver, and instincts for a guy who hasn’t played it all that long. We thought he had really good anticipation and instincts, and thus he had the interceptions. I think he fits in with our group and what we look for in safeties. Then [LB Red] Murdock, just man, he’s a tackling machine. Just really instinctive. Really good against the run. He may hold the record—you guys may know—for forced fumbles. Everyone talked about the Texas Tech guy [Dolphins LB Jacob Rodriguez], and he was amazing, but this guy—oh my gosh, if you look at his career and all the forced fumbles he had. Just a nose for the ball, relentless motor. Think he could be a good special teamer. Great make up, all of these guys I think have great make up.”
On the Mr. Irrelevant pick and Irrelevant Week in Newport Beach, Calif.
SP: “When we talked to [TE Dallen] Bentley, he’s vice president Mr. Irrelevant. So if there’s anything that [LB Red] Murdock can’t handle, then the two of them…”
Red Murdock quotes
On how he feels about being Mr. Irrelevant and what he knew about Mr. Irrelevant before being selected
“I feel extremely grateful and excited to be able to go out there for the Broncos. I know a little bit about Mr. Irrelevant, but the main thing is I have to make the most out of it and help us win.”
On what it was like to get the call from the Broncos
“It was an emotional moment trying to hold it all together in front of the family and everything. I’m just really excited to get the opportunity. The main thing now is just being able to help the team be able to win. I’m excited to play for the Broncos. That’s a great team that I wanted to play for before the draft.”
On his production in college with 17 forced fumbles
“Meticulous intent and being kind of being obsessed with it. Now I’m just ready to go do that on the field and help us get some wins.”
On how he would describe himself as a linebacker and a player
“I’m a team-first guy, but as a linebacker I prepare as a quarterback on the defense and getting everyone on the same page. Make sure our defense performs as one and that is what I’m looking forward to bringing to the Broncos team as a player that is going to put the team success before all else in any instance.”
On if he thought he would go undrafted
“I was trying to keep my mind off of things that I can’t control. When I got that call, I was extremely grateful.”
On if he had opportunities to leave the University of Buffalo and why he stayed
“I did have opportunities, but I’m big on being a team-first guy. That is all that matters to me. Also I felt like my main thing was being the best player that I can be and winning a MAC championship. I felt like I could have done that when I had those opportunities, so I stayed.”
Under the Radar
It’s not just Broncos fans who love the Red Murdock pick.
Everything Red Murdock
We here at Mile High Report covered each Denver Broncos draft pick in a variety of ways, but the news feed got deep fast and much of that coverage was buried in short order. Here is everything we did on linebacker Red Murdock over draft weekend ICYMI:
Denver Broncos select Buffalo LB Red Murdock 257th overall
Denver closed out the entire 2026 NFL Draft by making Buffalo’s Red Murdock “Mr. Irrelevant” — but the tape says otherwise. The 6’2″, 233-pound linebacker was a second-team AP All-American in 2025 and set the NCAA record for career forced fumbles with 17. Over his final two seasons, Murdock racked up 298 combined tackles, 30 TFLs, seven sacks, and 13 forced fumbles. ESPN’s Matt Miller had him ranked 167th on his own board, making him a 90-spot value steal at No. 257 that directly fills Denver’s need for linebacker depth.Denver Broncos inside linebacker Red Murdock highlights
The highlights show a physical, downhill thumper who is a magnet to the football — and specifically to the football when it’s in someone else’s hands. Murdock’s forced fumble reel is absurd for any draft prospect, let alone the last pick in the draft. He flies downhill against the run, delivers big hits at the point of attack, and has a nose for stripping the ball that’s borderline instinctive. The limitations are clear on tape too — he’s not great in space or coverage — but as a run-game enforcer and special teams weapon, the highlights make a strong case he’ll outplay his draft slot.Why the Broncos drafted Buffalo LB Red Murdock
Dane Brugler had a fourth-to-fifth-round grade on Murdock and called him “a magnet to the football who plays with physicality that will get the job done in the NFL” — so getting him at 257 was a gift. The Broncos see his early path as a special teams ace, where his physicality and team captain pedigree make him a natural fit, with a longer-term development track at inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad where the depth is thin. He won’t cover tight ends in space, but that’s not why he’s here. Denver drafted a violent, turnover-forcing linebacker with a legitimate shot at making the 53-man roster — not bad for the last name called.
My favorite picks were Jonah Coleman and Kage Casey, but after that it would have to be Red Murdock. Absolutely loved their last pick. How are you feeling about Murdock being a Denver Bronco?
