Kevin McMahan didn't believe what he was hearing.

After 254 players had been selected in the NFL draft, a woman called McMahan and told the former University of Maine wide receiver that the Oakland Raiders were going to take him with the final pick of the seventh round.

"I thought it was a prank," McMahan, an Aquinas graduate, said by phone last night from Orono, Maine. "She started asking me questions and for my Social Security number. I didn't give her anything until I saw my name come up on the screen."

And when it did?

"I was speechless," the 23-year-old Rochester, N.Y. resident said.

But, not for long. Because he was the last player taken in the draft, McMahan became Mr. Irrelevant, the tongue-in-cheek nickname given to the final draft selection each year.

McMahan was interviewed by ESPN Radio and several other stations across the country. ESPN2's Cold Pizza also called trying to set up an appearance, possibly for today.

The 6-foot-2, 196-pound McMahan took it all in stride.

"A lot of people know what Mr. Irrelevant is and this just gives me something going into training camp that separates me from other people," said McMahan, who caught 59 passes for 893 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and ranks eighth on Maine's career receiving list. "You are always looking for something to separate yourself, now I'm looking forward to going to camp and working hard."

In following with the tradition of Mr. Irrelevant, McMahan and his family will be invited to spend a weekend in Newport Beach, Calif., where he will be treated to a roast and receive the Lowsman Trophy.

TRADE

RAMS DEAL TIGHT END TO CHARGERS FOR DRAFT PICK

The San Diego Chargers obtained tight end Brandon Manumaleuna from the St. Louis Rams yesterday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick.

Manumaleuna caught only 13 passes last year and was pretty easy to bring down despite his 280-pound bulk.

St. Louis chose Indiana defensive end Victor Adeyanju with the fourth-round pick.