Temple’s Dan Archibong and Branden Mack signing as NFL free agents

Temple defensive tackle Dan Archibong and wide receiver Branden Mack didn’t worry about being bypassed in the seven-round NFL draft. Both are happy to have the opportunity to pursue an NFL career.

Each will be signing rookie free-agent deals, Archibong with the Chicago Bears and Mack with the Denver Broncos.

Archibong’s agency, Exclusive Sports Group, tweeted the news.

“I am psyched and excited to be a Bear,” Archibong said in a phone interview Saturday. “I am so grateful to get the opportunity to show my skills.”

Mack confirmed an earlier report by Denver reporter Mike Klis that he was going to sign with Denver.

“I feel blessed, I am grateful for the opportunity and ready to get to work and be part of Bronco nation,” Mack said in a phone interview. “I have to make the team on special teams first.”

Both players are local products, with Archibong from Springfield (Delco) and Mack from Cheltenham. Each had been with Temple for five seasons and had earned his undergraduate degree.

They were two of just five players who started all seven games this past season for the 1-6 Owls.

The two players could have returned for what would have been a sixth year at Temple since the NCAA didn’t count this past season on a player’s eligibility due to all the complications with COVID-19.

Archibong was measured at 6-foot-5 and 298-pounds at Temple’s pro day. He is known for his athletic ability and even had a few snaps at tight end.

This past year he had 22 tackles, including 3½ tackles for losses and 2.0 sacks, but his value went beyond statistics, since he often tied up multiple blockers.

He said after the draft, his representation heard from a few NFL teams, but he felt the Bears were the best fit.

» READ MORE: Why Temple football coach Rod Carey didn’t wait long to announce his starting quarterback

“I feel fortunate that teams were showing interest and I think Chicago is a good place for me and I am ready to work and show why they had faith in me, Archibong said.

This past season, Mack had 26 receptions for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Like Archibong, he is a versatile athlete who even took snaps at quarterback during Temple’s season-ending 28-3 loss to East Carolina.

His best season came as a redshirt junior when Mack had 59 receptions for 904 yards and seven touchdowns.

Measured at 6-foot-5 and 217-pounds at Temple’s pro day, Mack ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash. While not a speed burner, he is especially dangerous in the red zone.

Mack is glad that the process is over and he can now move forward.

“I am very relieved and now it is time to get back to work,” Mack said. “This is just the beginning and I am so glad that the Broncos believed in me.”

Two players who began their careers at Temple but transferred before this past season, also found out their NFL destination on Saturday.

Defensive end Quincy Roche, the American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year as a redshirt junior at Temple before transferring to Miami, was selected in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Tight end Kenny Yeboah, who transferred to Ole Miss after the 2019 season, signed a free-agent deal with the New York Jets. Ole Miss tweeted out the news.