Kansas RB Devin Neal would be a steal for the Broncos on day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft

Kansas running back Devin Neal would be an excellent mid-round addition to their offense.

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the third or fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft is Kansas running back, Devin Neal. He is a 5’11”, 213-pound back, and one of the many talented backs in this loaded draft class.

Neal played a total of four seasons at Kansas and was a very productive back for the Jayhawks. During his four seasons, Neal totaled 760 carries for 4,343 yards, 49 touchdowns, averaged 5.7 yards per carry, and caught 77 balls for 771 yards, and 4 touchdowns. This past year, Neal had 219 carries for 1,266 yards, 16 touchdowns, averaged 5.8 yards per carry, and had 24 receptions for 254 yards, and 1 touchdown.

Player Profile

Devin Neal | Running Back | Kansas

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 213 pounds
• Age: 21 years old
• Hands: 8 ¹⁄₂ inches
• Arm Length: 29 5/8 inches
• 40-Yard Dash: 4.58 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.59 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 37.5 inches
• Broad Jump: 10’4”

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Has good size and bulk
• A physical runner who fights for extra yards and falls forward
• Good contact balance
• Was a short-yardage specialist at Kansas
• Can make defenders miss in the open field
• A patient runner with good vision and processing
• Reliable outlet receiver out of the backfield
• Good ball security
• Willing and capable pass blocker
• He has proven he can be a high-volume rusher

Weaknesses

• Lacks top-end speed and is quicker than fast
• Not a twitchy athlete or a dynamic player
• Enters the draft with 750+ carries already under his belt

What other analysts are saying about Kansas running back Devin Neal

NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Kansas RB Devin Neal

Workload runner with NFL size and four years of steady production to help elevate the program. Neal runs with a nice blend of patience and decisiveness to choose the right lanes and maximize each carry. He lacks top-end burst and speed, which will shrink the field for him, but he’s a fall-forward runner with good contact balance and a nose for short-yardage conversions. He has good instincts and soft hands in space and can help as a leak-out or swing-pass option. His blue-collar approach isn’t exciting but it is effective and Neal has the ability to develop into a backup three-down back.

Devin Neal RAS

Final Thoughts

Devin Neal is one of my favorite day-three options for the Broncos at running back. He is not the sexiest or most exciting prospect, but he is a reliable back who does all the little things well.

He is not the fastest, most explosive, or dynamic running back in this class, but he is a reliable between-the-tackles runner who can get you the first down. He also has proven he can be a reliable check-down/outlet receiver while also being a willing pass blocker. Add in his vision and patience as a runner and I believe he can be a steal for whoever drafts him on day 3 of the draft.

I have the Broncos drafting two backs in the draft and would not be upset if Neal was the second back they drafted. I do not think he has the ‘Joker’ skill set but can be a reliable short-yardage and third down back who can turn into a full-time starter or a key member of a running back rotation.

I would not be upset if they took him in the third round but I think he’ll go sometime in the 4th or 5th rounds due to his lack of speed and explosiveness. If that’s the case, the Broncos should pounce on the opportunity to get Neal and add him to their backfield.