Red Murdock, the very last pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, just dropped into the pros against the Atlanta Falcons and looked anything but irrelevant. This dude led the Broncos’ defense with a massive 47 snaps in his debut, proving he’s here to play, not just fill out a roster.
“Mr. Irrelevant” Just Showed Up
Let’s be real, rookies and undrafted free agents? Preseason is their storm. It’s make-or-break, every play counts. And Murdock, the so-called “Mr. Irrelevant,” absolutely owned his first taste of NFL action. He’s been a bright spot through training camp, apparently wowing coaches and teammates with his intelligence and knack for finding the football. Coach Sean Payton was straight-up pleased, saying these guys got “good snaps, valuable snaps” and it was “good exposure for them.” Murdock showcased incredible play strength, battling through screens, and his open-field tackling ability? Elite. He didn’t just play, he led the entire team in tackles with eight. You gotta wonder, how many “last picks” make that kind of immediate impact?
The Backup Battle Is Heating Up
While Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are locked in as the Broncos’ top inside linebackers, the fight for those backup spots is fierce. And man, did it get intense after Levelle Bailey suffered a broken leg in that Falcons game. Plus, Jordan Turner was out after just getting activated from the NFI list, which opened the door wide open. That meant Murdock, along with fellow rookie UDFA Taurean York and second-year guy Karene Reid, saw serious reps. York, from Texas A&M, got his first in-game action, wrapping up two tackles. Reid, who actually played in ten games last season as a UDFA himself, racked up four tackles on 28 snaps and had a key tip that led to cornerback Jahdae Barron’s sick 97-yard pick six! Payton’s digging their progress, too, noting how quickly they’re all picking up the complex position, from run fits to pass game calls.
The next game is another chance for these guys to keep proving they belong. With Payton hyped on how quickly they’re learning, you know these linebackers are gonna be hungry for more.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
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