Have the Detroit Lions ever drafted Mr. Irrelevant?

The final pick of each NFL Draft is noteworthy in its own way, so giving it the name "Mr. Irrelevant", as was done in 1976 by former USC receiver Paul Salata, seems appropriate. The odds of that player having a notable career are naturally long as a seventh-round pick, but some have managed to do it (Ryan Succop, Brock Purdy is on a good track, etc.).

The Lions will not have the final pick in the 2024 NFL Draft barring something unforeseen, with the New York Jets currently holding pick No. 257 to wrap up the proceedings in downtown Detroit.

Have the Lions ever drafted Mr. Irrelevant?

The Lions had the final pick of the draft three times in the 1950's. But since the moniker "Mr. Irrelevant" was established, they've had it twice.

In 2007, the Lions took Alabama cornerback Ramzee Robinson with the 255h overall pick. He played 19 games for them over the next two seasons, before splitting his third NFL season between the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. He spent time with Washington in 2010, making it to final cuts.

Robinson signed futures deals with the Browns in 2011 and the Denver Broncos in 2012, making it to final cuts for Denver. He signed with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders in the CFL, and was waived by them in June of 2013.

Robinson played a total of 26 NFL games over three seasons.

In 2010, the Lions took Weber State wide receiver Tim Toone with pick No. 255. He spent time on the Lions' practice squad in 2010 and 2011, but never played in a game,

Toone landed with the Buffalo Bills on their practice squad in October of 2011. In 2012, the Denver Broncos signed him to their practice squad but let him go in the spring. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons, and made their 53-man roster. The Falcons waived him due to an injury, but re-signed him that November. He was waived by Atlanta in July of 2013, and the New Orleans Saints brought him in. The Saints waived him late in the 2013 preseason, ending his football-playing career.

Toone played zero NFL regular season games.

So the Lions have not found an unlikely gem when they've selected "Mr. Irrelevant", but they are hardly the only team who can say that.