Broncos Sign 17 UDFAs
The Broncos UDFA list is up to 17 players, and it now officially includes quarterback Brett Rypien, whom the club agreed to sign several days ago. Today, Denver waived Garrett Grayson to make room for Rypien. Here’s the updated list (Mike Klis of 9News.com passes along the signing bonuses for all of the players for whom that information is available).
- George Aston, FB (Pittsburgh)
- Quinn Bailey, OL (Arizona State)
- Trinity Benson, WR (East Central)
- Ryan Crozier, OL (Connecticut)
- Joe Dineen, LB (Kansas)
- Austin Fort, TE (Wyoming)
- Ahmad Gooden, DL (Samford)
- Romel Guerrier, WR (Florida Tech)
- Alijah Holder, CB (Stanford)
- Devontae Jackson, RB (West Georgia)
- Jaylen Johnson, DL (Washington)
- John Leglue, OL (Tulane)
- Kelvin McKnight, WR (Samford)
- Malik Reed, LB (Nevada)
- Brett Rypien, QB (Boise State)
- Brian Wallace, OL (Arkansas)
- Josh Watson, LB (Colorado State)
The Broncos have been consistent in identifying UDFA talent during John Elway‘s tenure, with Chris Harris becoming a perennial Pro Bowler and C.J. Anderson and Phillip Lindsay each making the Pro Bowl during their initial years as starters.
Lindsay’s late-season injury may create a chance for Jackson, who rushed for 1,385 yards and 12 touchdowns last season at the Division II school. The 5-foot-7 ball carrier will give the Broncos a two-Devontae running back room, with Devontae Booker entering a contract year.
Denver lost two offensive linemen in free agency and only drafted one, Dalton Risner, pointing to an opportunity for its quartet of UDFA blockers.
Broncos To Sign QB Brett Rypien
The Broncos are set to sign quarterback Brett Rypien, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic (on Twitter). The Boise State product went undrafted last week, but there was a ripe market for his services. 
The Broncos are giving Rypien a “six-figure guarantee,” according to Jhabvala, which would give him one of the most lucrative signing bonuses of any UDFA.
With the signing, the Broncos’ quarterback room just got a bit more crowded. Already, Joe Flacco may be feeling some heat from second-round pick Drew Lock, and the club also has journeymen Kevin Hogan and Garrett Grayson on the depth chart.
Rypien completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,705 yards in his final collegiate season. He also threw for 30 touchdowns against just seven interceptions.
Rypien has been lauded for his intangibles, but many NFL evaluators wonder if he has the arm to compete at the NFL level. His 9-inch hand measurement at the combine also didn’t do him any favors.