TEMPE, Ariz. -- Sometimes it's good to be irrelevant.
Louisville tight end Gerald Christian was the last pick in the NFL draft Saturday, going 256th to the Arizona Cardinals and earning the distinction of Mr. Irrelevant with all the perks that accompany it, including his first trip to California.
He'll be the focus of a week of events in Newport Beach, California, from July 7-12, including a banquet July 10 during which he'll receive the Lowsman Trophy, a visit to Disneyland and Angel Stadium, and the Newport Beach Community Field Day.
"I had never known about it," Christian said. "I'm hearing now I get to go be in a parade. I'm going to enjoy it."
The final pick was introduced by 2012 Mr. Irrelevant Chandler Harnish, who also happens to be a quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.
Christian caught 32 passes last season at Louisville for 384 yards and five touchdowns. He began his career at Florida in 2010 but redshirted his freshman year. He left the team in October 2011 and transferred to Louisville before sitting out the 2012 school year because of NCAA rules.
During spring practice leading up to his redshirt freshman season with the Gators, he was moved from tight end to linebacker but didn't play a down on defense during the regular season.
He flourished for the Cardinals the last two seasons, catching 28 passes for 426 yards and four touchdowns as a junior in 2013.
With the Arizona Cardinals, Christian likely will be used as a blocking H-back but has a shot at making the 53-man roster because of his versatility, coach Bruce Arians said.
"Most people think of an H-back as a pass-receiving tight end," Arians said. "He'll stick your face in the fan. He's going to be a special-teams gem with his linebacker background. Really love the way he plays. He's a very good intermediate receiver. He will fight hard for a roster spot because of his special-teams value."
At one point Saturday afternoon, Arians looked at general manager Steve Keim and suggested they find a new player to take last because Arians didn't think Christian would be available.
But as the seventh round started coming to a close, Christian's phone buzzed with free agent offers. Then he got a call from Arizona.
"It feels great," Christian said. "Never expected it. And in 20 years I can always say I was Mr. Irrelevant."