The Broncos were evidently impressed by a veteran name who popped up at their rookie minicamp this past weekend.
After a pro tryout from Friday through Sunday, Denver is signing 26-year-old receiver Michael Woods II, multiple sources confirmed to The Denver Post. It’s a standard one-year, veteran-minimum deal for Woods II, who spent last year on the Packers’ practice squad.
The Broncos weren’t done there, either, also adding undrafted-rookie cornerback Paul Manning on a standard rookie deal, sources confirmed. It’s a win for the Division II-to-NFL pipeline, as the 6-foot-1 Manning hails from Henderson State and tried out along with dozens of Division I rookies at the Broncos’ minicamp this weekend.
The moves would bring the Broncos to 93 on their offseason roster (92 countable players with punter Jeremy Crawshaw’s international roster exemption), meaning corresponding cuts are coming to ensure the club stays at the NFL’s offseason limit of 90.
A product of Arkansas and Oklahoma, the 6-foot-1 Woods II was a sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He caught 12 passes for 110 yards over parts of three seasons with the Browns, and his name may carry some familiarity in Denver: he had a career-best three catches for 43 yards in 2024’s 41-32 Denver shootout win over Cleveland.
The Broncos now have a considerable amount of clutter in their receiver room, beyond the already-set fivesome of Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims Jr. and Pat Bryant. Woods II will now compete with veterans Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Michael Bandy — and four undrafted rookies in Dane Key, Cam Ross, Joseph Manjack IV and Kolbe Katsis — for a 53-man or practice-squad slot.
The Manning addition, too, also ensures Denver is carrying 11 cornerbacks on their offseason roster. Expect those WR and CB rooms to be thinned out in coming weeks and months, as the Broncos march on towards training camp.
This story will be updated.
