Jaylen Key, 2024's Mr. Irrelevant, is certainly feeling relevant this week.
The Jets rookie defensive back is the main attraction of "Mr. Irrelevant Week," an annual celebration which honors the NFL's final draft pick in Newport Beach, California, and Key joined The Insiders on Wednesday to discuss his ceremonious entry into the pro ranks.
"It's crazy exciting," Key told NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. "It's a moment that you've been waiting for your whole life, what you've worked for since you were in pee wee. It was a surreal moment for me and my family."
Key joins a talented Jets squad that holds Super Bowl aspirations with four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers leading the way. New York's defense will certainly play a role in getting them there, and Key's experience through the club's offseason program was a welcome-to-the-NFL moment he won't soon forget.
"It's pretty crazy to see Aaron Rodgers out there with you," he said. "You're practicing against him, he's on the other side throwing the rock. It's pretty crazy because you grew up playing with them in Madden. He's a great player, he's generational, and it's pretty crazy that he's the quarterback of the team I'm playing with. It was pretty surreal for me to get out there and practice him and be able to go out and work with him every day."
The 24-year-old certainly knows a thing or two about taking the next step.
Key started his collegiate career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham before transferring to Alabama for one season in 2023. In Tuscaloosa, he earned a starting role as a newcomer on one of the most talented teams in the nation. Recording 60 tackles, one interception and one pass break-up in 12 starts for the Crimson Tide, Key also garnered recognition for his potential in the NFL.
"You kind of got to focus on a lot of the little things, and that's kind of what I started focusing on," Key said on transferring to Alabama. "You got to grind it out. There's some tough days in there, some tough months in there, but in the end, if you keep working, you'll prevail. So, for me, that's what it was."
Alabama perennially features top prospects in the NFL draft and this year's crop featured a pair of Key's teammates in the Tide's secondary. The Detroit Lions traded up in the first round to select cornerback Terrion Arnold, and Kool-Aid McKinstry was drafted by the New Orleans Saints at No. 41 overall.
Key expects big things from them.
"Those guys are incredible," Key said. "The characters that they are and the players that they are -- next to none. Those guys are extremely talented and will be great at this level."
Key's spot on a loaded Jets roster won't be guaranteed despite coming into the league with more notice than normal for a No. 257 selection. With 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy recently becoming the most notable "Mr. Irrelevant" of all time, hope is certainly in the air for Key's NFL aspirations.
"It's consistency," Key said of his intentions with the Jets. "That's what the game boils down to: consistency. If you're consistent, you'll do good in this game. That's what this game is about: going out to work hard every day and being consistent."
