The Denver Broncos made another minor roster tweak on Wednesday, but the team hopes it can turn into an important move down the line.
The team decided to give a look at a player from the United Football League. The spring league recently concluded its season, making players available to be signed. Mario Goodrich, a defensive back for the Birmingham Stallions, has joined the roster.
To make room on the 90-man roster, the Broncos waived defensive back Tanner McAlister.
Goodrich made 17 tackles and had six pass breakups to go along with three forced fumbles for the Stallions this year. Though the Stallions weren't able to win a league championship for a fourth straight year, players from their roster are beginning to land NFL contracts.
The Broncos went this route last summer, signing Dondrea Tillman off the Stallions' roster. He went on to have a big summer for the team and though he was initially waived, he joined the practice squad the next day and was on the main roster by Week 3. He finished the season with five sacks.
Goodrich went undrafted in 2022 after being part of a national championship program at Clemson. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and spent a season on their practice squad. After being waived last July, he was picked up by the New York Giants and had a short stint there before being waived with an injury.
Goodrich had to play his way back to the NFL, which is what he did in the UFL.
It's a bit of a surprise to see the Broncos waive McAlister as he earned some time on the active roster last season, playing in three games. The Broncos have a deep secondary and are looking for players who can add depth behind the starters. They appear to see Goodrich having a better chance at adding to that group than McAlister at this stage in the preseason.
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