The Denver Broncos signed Ron Stone Jr. on Tuesday and waived Hakeem Butler in a corresponding move, bringing in a 26-year-old pass rusher while trimming a receiver who had not climbed the depth chart. Stone practiced with the Broncos the same day, and Vance Joseph said the newcomer is smart and tough.
The move is getting attention because Stone is not just any camp body. He spent the past two seasons in the UFL, played at Washington State, and is listed at 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds. After the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent, then was waived at roster cutdowns with an injury designation before rebuilding his case in spring football.
That rebuilding stretch produced enough to get him another NFL look. In 2025, Stone played for the Michigan Panthers and had 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. In 2026, he played for the Columbus Aviators and finished with 5.5 sacks and five tackles for loss. The Broncos have already shown interest in that path before, when Dondrea Tillman signed from the UFL in the spring of 2024 and turned into a steady part of the rotation.
Still, Stone arrives to a position group that is not exactly begging for bodies. Denver already has Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, Dondrea Tillman, Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson on the outside, which means any newcomer has to force his way onto the field rather than simply show up and collect a locker. The uncertainty around Cooper only sharpens that math, because the Broncos do not yet know if he will be available to start the season.
Butler’s exit explains the other half of the transaction. He was brought in as a summer receiver after twice winning UFL offensive player of the year, yet he fell behind Denver’s receivers and a group of undrafted rookies in camp. The Broncos needed to make room for a player who fits a more immediate need, and Stone’s profile gives them another edge option if the pass-rush group gets squeezed early.
Joseph said Stone will play a bunch on Friday, and that is the real test. If Stone handles the workload and keeps flashing the smart, tough traits that drew praise on Tuesday, Denver may have found a depth piece worth carrying. If he does not, the Broncos have made only a short-term swap. Friday should show which side of that line he is on.
