Broncos Add UFL Edge Rusher in Roster Move
The Denver Broncos are signing outside linebacker Ron Stone Jr., a 26-year-old who spent the past two seasons in the UFL, according to reporting from The Denver Post, Heavy., and Nbc Sports. In a corresponding move reported by The Denver Post and Nbc Sports, the team released wide receiver Hakeem Butler. Stone is expected to practice with the Broncos on Tuesday and enters as a contender for the 53-man roster, as reported by The Denver Post.
Stone, who played college football at Washington State, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft. The Raiders waived him at the roster cutdowns with an injury designation. He then moved to the UFL, where he recorded 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss with the Michigan Panthers in 2025 before posting 5.5 sacks and five tackles for loss with the Columbus Aviators in 2026. Both Stone and Butler appeared in the UFL this past spring, Nbc Sports noted.
Reports differ slightly on Stone's listed weight. The Denver Post has him at 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds, while Heavy. lists him at 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds. Heavy. also reported that Stone is the son of Ron Stone Sr., a two-time Super Bowl champion, two-time NFL All-Pro, and three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher. Heavy. further noted that Stone recorded 16 career sacks during his time at Washington State and that NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein had projected him as a priority free agent, describing him as a stand-up rush linebacker prospect and team captain from an NFL bloodline.
Context Around the Outside Linebacker Group
The Denver Post placed the signing in the context of Denver's existing depth and recent success drawing talent from the UFL. The Broncos previously signed outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman from the UFL in the spring of 2024. Tillman has since appeared in each of the team's past 29 regular-season games, accumulating nine sacks, eight tackles for loss, and two interceptions, according to The Denver Post.
Denver's outside linebacker room currently features starters Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, with reserves including Tillman, Jonah Elliss, Que Robinson, and 2023 third-round pick Drew Sanders. The Denver Post reported that Sanders has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons. The same outlet noted that Cooper faces a felony assault charge and other lesser charges stemming from domestic violence-related arrests in June, raising the possibility of a suspension or placement on the commissioner's exempt list. Stone's arrival could offer early-season depth if Cooper is unavailable, The Denver Post observed.
Details on the Corresponding Release
Hakeem Butler, a two-time UFL offensive player of the year, was released after failing to produce during training camp and falling behind other receivers on the depth chart, including undrafted rookies Cameron Ross, Kolbe Katsis, and Joseph Manjack IV, according to The Denver Post. Nbc Sports confirmed the release as a corresponding transaction to Stone's signing without additional commentary on performance.
Heavy. framed the move as consistent with a broader approach of maintaining competition on the roster, citing social media posts from reporters including Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post, Mike Klis, and Zac Stevens. Nbc Sports presented the agreement with Stone and the cut of Butler in straightforward transactional terms, attributing the initial report to Gabriel.
Stone's path from Washington State through a brief Raiders stint and two productive UFL seasons positions him as another developmental addition for a Broncos defense that has previously converted UFL experience into regular contributions. The timing of the signing, with practice expected Tuesday, aligns him for evaluation ahead of final roster decisions.