Overview
- Denver signed wide receiver Hakeem Butler and cornerback/returner Sean Fresch and then waived Paul Manning and Michael Woods II to keep the offseason roster at the 90-player limit, a move reported on Monday and confirmed by multiple outlets.
- Butler is a two-time UFL Offensive Player of the Year who led the league in 2026 with 641 receiving yards and is listed around 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, traits teams cite as reasons to give him another NFL chance.
- Fresch is a smaller, speed-oriented corner who led the UFL in punt return yards and will be evaluated primarily for special teams value as he competes for a practice squad or roster spot.
- Both players join deep position groups that include Jaylen Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr., Pat Surtain II and others, so each faces long odds to make the 53-man roster but can earn roles through minicamp and training camp performance.
- The signings continue a recent pattern of NFL teams using the UFL as a low-cost talent pipeline, a strategy the Broncos have used successfully before and that gives them more roster flexibility while they sort depth and contract questions.