With 23-year-old quarterback Drew Lock carrying the collective hopes of apountry on his shoulders heading into 2020, Denver currently has three options for his backup.
Who is most likely to be the team’s No. 2 quarterback? Here’s a look at the too-early case for all three players, plus a prediction.
Brett Rypien
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound second-year player was on the active roster for three weeks last year, and also spent ample time on the practice squad. The 23-year-old originally signed with the team as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2019, after a historic career at Boise State in which he finished as the Mountain West Conference’s all-time leader in passing yards, completions and 300-yard passing games.
Jeff Driskel
Denver signed the 27-year-old to a two-year, $5 million deal on March 26. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder is a fifth-year pro originally drafted by the 49ers in the sixth round in 2016 out of Louisiana Tech after playing four seasons at Florida. He made five starts for the Bengals in 2018, going 1-4, and was 0-3 in his starts for Detroit last year. His career completion percentage is 59.4 and his quarterback rating is 79.6.
Riley Neal
Neal agreed to terms with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Vanderbilt. The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder played his final college season with the Commodores as a graduate transfer, quarterbacking 11 games with 149 completions for 1,585 yards and nine touchdowns. Before that, the 23-year-old was a four-year starter at Ball State, and had his eligibility extended due to a medical redshirt in 2017.
Who will be the backup?
John Elway brought Driskel in as a free agent for a reason, to be the backup. Despite his unspectacular 1-7 starting record, he’s a veteran Lock can lean on. Driskel will be the backup, and beyond him and Lock on the active roster, Rypien and Neal will battle for a practice squad spot as the team’s No. 3 quarterback.
— , The Denver Post
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2020 draft picks
Jerry Jeudy | KJ Hamler | Michael Ojemudia | Lloyd Cushenberry | McTelvin Agim | Albert Okwuegbunam | Justin Strnad | Netane Muti | Tyrie Cleveland | Derrek Tuszka
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Parting Shot
Who’s the greatest Colorado athlete of all-time? Vote in the Championship round of our bracket.
No. 1 ranked John Elway takes on No. 3 Joe Sakic in the final round. Thatap right, the “Duke of Denver” is going against “Super Joe” for all the marbles. Make sure to vote and share with friends and family. Vote here…
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If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion,email me at dboniface@denverpost.comortweet me .
