Report: Broncos signing undrafted free agent QB Riley Neal

The Broncos are signing undrafted free agent quarterback Riley Neal.

The Denver Broncos are signing undrafted free agent quarterback Riley Neal, according to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Neal (6-6, 225 pounds) spent four years at Ball State before transferring to Vanderbilt for his senior season. Last fall, he completed 57.8 percent of his passes for 1,585 yards with nine touchdowns against five interceptions.

In his college career, Neal completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 8,978 yards with 55 touchdowns against 30 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,410 yards and 15 touchdowns while in college.

In a pre-draft interview with Titans Wire’s Crissy Froyd, Neal spoke about his willingness to go anywhere and compete for a roster spot.

“I think I’ve played a decent amount of football, and I have some experience. I’m someone who is going to come in and work every day, fill whatever role they find necessary,” Neal told Titans Wire.

“I’m not too picky, of course I’ll go anywhere that I’m wanted and that’s good for me. I don’t have any specific criteria for that.”

Neal will become Denver’s fourth-string QB, behind Drew Lock, Jeff Driskel and Brett Rypien. He will have long odds to make the final roster.

We are tracking all of the Broncos’ undrafted free agent signings here.

[vertical-gallery id=638498]

Broncos expected to sign 7-9 UDFAs after the draft

The Broncos are expected to have a small undrafted free agent class this year.

Last year, the Denver Broncos signed 17 undrafted free agents following the draft. Denver also signed 17 UDFAs following the 2017 NFL Draft.

This year, the team’s college free agent class will be much smaller.

Teams aren’t allowed to use their facilities for the draft this year because of COVID-19. Without scouts, coaches and executives all in the same room, that will make it harder to sign undrafted free agents.

The Broncos are also scheduled to have 10 picks in the draft. Even if Denver makes a few trades, they won’t have as many roster spots for UDFAs as they have in previous years.

“It’s always a difficult time but even more so this year with it being virtual,” Broncos general manager said during a pre-draft Zoom conference call with reporters on Monday. “We’re fortunate in the fact that with our numbers, we shouldn’t be — we don’t need too many CFAs. It’s a good year to be in a position that we’re in.

“Again, it’s going to be more difficult because of it being virtual. Hopefully, when the draft’s over we can at least add seven, eight, nine CFAs that can have a chance to maybe make our team.”

The list of recent successful UDFA signings for the Broncos includes Malik Reed (2019), Phillip Lindsay (2018) and Elijah Wilkinson (2017).

[vertical-gallery id=637601]