Youngster Pays Price as Broncos Sign Playmaker From Familiar Pipeline

The Denver Broncos are on break, but their work is not finished, with general manager George Paton tapping into a source in which they found success just last offseason, signing cornerback  Mario Goodrich from the Birmingham Stallions.

The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported on X on June 18 that the Broncos waived safety Tanner McCalister, a 2023 UDFA who played in three games last season, for Goodrich.

“BREAKING: The Denver #Broncos are signing @USFLStallions CB Mario Goodrich, per league source,” Pro Football Network and UFL Film Room’s James Larsen reported on X on June 17. “Goodrich totaled 15 tackles & 4 PBU’s this #UFL season, starting 5 games despite dealing with an injury.”

Goodrich was an undrafted free agent out of Clemson in 2022.

He has spent time with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles in his NFL career, appearing in four games and drawing one start with the latter in 2023.

“The Denver Broncos certainly put an emphasis on bringing in a #UFL DB, having worked out both Jayden Price (Renegades) & Mario Goodrich (Stallions) last week,” Larsen posted on X in a follow-up. “Ultimately, it was Goodrich who ends up with a contract offer.”

Broncos Looking to Repeat Success With UFL CB Mario Goodrich

Goodrich is one of six UFL players to sign with an NFL squad this offseason, two of whom also hail from the Stallions.

He is the second to join the Broncos in the last two seasons, and they hope to repeat.

“The Broncos hope to come up big again with the signing of a player from the Birmingham Stallions,” the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson wrote on June 17. “Denver last June signed outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman away from the Stallions and he had five sacks in his rookie season.”

Tillman, who turned 27 in April, logged 23 total tackles, 7 hits on the quarterback, and appeared in 12 games in 2024. He tied with 2024 third-rounder Jonah Elliss in sacks, seeing a 29% snap share in the games he saw the field, per Pro Football Reference.

The Broncos set a franchise record and led the league with 63 sacks in 2024. They also tied for fifth in interceptions, so Goodrich’s playmaking should fit well.

Goodrich turned 25 in January, meaning he could offer the Broncos even greater upside.

Broncos DBs on Notice After Latest Move

The move brings their roster to 91 total, though only 90 count against the team’s limit since punter Jeremy Crawshaw qualifies for an international player exemption. Still, Goodrich’s arrival undoubtedly puts pressure on the rest of the Broncos’ corners.

Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, and rookie first-round pick Jahdae Barron are safe.

Nickelback Ja’Quan McMillian, second-year man Kris Abrams-Draine, and young veteran Damarri Mathis are probably in the same boat, but they could also be subject to a challenge.

Mathis and McMillian are particularly susceptible, with the Broncos spending a fifth-round pick on Abrams-Draine in 2024 and using their first pick (No. 20 overall) of the 2025 draft on Barron, who figures to start inside. Goodrich could also find his way onto the Broncos’ practice squad.