Nienhuis isn't Mr. Irrelevant

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

KIRKLAND - Doug Nienhuis was one pick away from being relevant ... and Mr. Irrelevant.

Instead, the second-to-the-last pick of the 2005 NFL draft remains shrouded in anonymity after the Seattle Seahawks selected him with the 254th overall pick.

Had Nienhuis been taken one pick later, with the last selection in the seven-round draft, he would have been recognized as this year's Mr. Irrelevant. The NFL has been honoring the draft's final pick for 30 years, rewarding them with things like Rolex watches and cars and week-long celebrations in Southern California.

"Actually, I'm pretty happy I'm not Mr. Irrelevant," said Nienhuis, an offensive lineman from Oregon State University. "I hear they do a whole parade for them at Disneyland or something. Yeah, I'm pretty happy I wasn't Mr. Irrelevant. I'm just happy to be picked up; let's put it that way."

Andy Stokes, not Nienhuis, was this year's Mr. Irrelevant. The tight end from tiny William Penn University in Iowa earned that designation after the world champion New England Patriots selected him with the 255th overall pick in the draft.

Nienhuis, meanwhile, will join the Seahawks as one of three rookie offensive linemen who were drafted over the weekend. They'll join a team that already has six veterans with significant starting experience, plus recent high draft picks Sean Locklear (third round, 2004) and Wayne Hunter (third round, 2003).

Instead of a parade, Nienhuis will be welcomed with an uphill battle just to earn a roster spot.

"I have been in a lot of competitive situations, especially at Oregon State," Nienhuis said. "... I think it turned out pretty well for me at the end of my collegiate career."

Nienhuis may have waited 253 picks, and nearly 17 hours of draft coverage, but he liked the final result Sunday afternoon.

"It was definitely a nerve-wracking experience," he said, "but it turned out well."

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