The Denver Broncos shook up their roster on June 16, just as mandatory minicamp got underway. To bring in new talent, the team had to make some tough decisions to stay within the NFL's strict 90-player offseason limit. 

They decided to sign two standout players from the United Football League, wide receiver Hakeem Butler and cornerback Sean Fresch Jr., which meant two other players had to be let go. The players who lost their spots were veteran wide receiver Michael Woods II and rookie cornerback Paul Manning. 

“Per source, #Broncos have waived CB Paul Manning. Move makes room for Sean Fresch, a returner/corner,” 9News’ Mike Klis reported on X.

In a follow-up post, as reported by Heavy, Klis reported, “Manning won a rookie minicamp tryout with Broncos. Spent a good month or so with team.” 

It is not surprising that the team cut Woods and Manning, as both players have struggled to secure a permanent spot on the roster. 

Woods is a 26-year-old wide receiver and a former 2022 draft pick (202nd overall). He spent most of his four NFL seasons on the practice squad while dealing with injuries and a suspension. In his 15 career games (two starts), he managed 12 catches for 110 yards.

Manning, an undrafted rookie cornerback from Division II Henderson State, was released just a month after earning a roster spot through a tryout. 

He joins the open market after a productive 32-game college career where he recorded 51 tackles, 16 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions (including one pick-six), earning second-team All-Great American Conference honors.

The duo was positioned deeper on the Broncos’ depth chart, with elite talent ahead of them at corner in Pat Surtain II and Jahdae Barron, and at receiver in the duo of Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton.

What Attracted the Denver Broncos Towards the Two New Additions

The Broncos signed two exciting players from the spring football league to make their team stronger. They brought in a tall wide receiver named Hakeem Butler and a fast defensive back named Sean Fresch Jr.

According to reports from the Denver Broncos, the team liked Butler because of his frame being 6-foot-5 and weighing 242 pounds, and he made huge plays last season for the St. Louis Battlehawks. 

He was one of the best receivers in his league, catching 29 passes for an amazing 641 yards and scoring three touchdowns in 2026. Originally a fourth-round NFL draft pick back in 2019, Denver wants to use his size to catch deep passes down the field.

Fresch Jr. is shorter at 5-foot-8 and 173 pounds, but a very tough player. In his 13 spring league games, he had 43 tackles, two sacks, and forced a fumble. 

He is also excellent at returning punts and kickoffs, averaging 10.5 yards per punt return. It makes him perfect for special teams.

What do you think of the Broncos' decision to waive two players? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar