Broncos sign former UFL CB Mario Goodrich

The Broncos added to their cornerback room today by signing former UFL CB Mario Goodrich.

The Broncos have announced that they have signed former UFL cornerback Mario Goodrich. To make room for him on their 90-man roster, the team has waived cornerback Tannner McCalister.

The former Clemson cornerback went undrafted during the 2022 NFL Draft and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He would spend two seasons with the Eagles while playing in four games for them during that span, but would be waived by the team last July during Eagles training camp. He was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants but was waived with an injury designation during the final cutdown period. He would not join another roster during the 2024 NFL season but would sign a contract with the UFL and join the Birmingham Stallions. Now, with the UFL season in the books, Goodrich is getting another shot in the NFL, this time with the Denver Broncos.

During the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, Goodrich ran a 4.52 40-time and was viewed as a late-round pick or a priority free agent. NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein said that Goodrich has the size and physical play you look for in a corner but will likely be best suited to a zone scheme due to his lack of athleticism.

Goodrich had a long wait to get his shot but was ready when it finally came for him. He has size and plays a physical brand of coverage but might be tethered to a zone scheme due to a lack of desired chase speed. He has some recognition talent, allowing for decent head starts to squeeze routes in his area. He also has the length to help play the passing lanes, but he’s more likely to tackle the catch than play the football. He’s reliable against the run and has classic Cover 2 traits, but Goodrich might receive some consideration as a backup safety.

Now, he joins a Broncos roster that is fairly deep at the cornerback position. It’s led by reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II, has up-and-coming third-year corner Riley Moss, rookie first-round pick Jahdae Barron, veteran slot corner Ja’Quan McMillian, second-year corner Kris Abrams-Draine, and others. So, Goodrich faces long odds when it comes to making the Broncos’ 53-man roster.

He is most likely a practice squad candidate for the Broncos, but even then, he faces stiff competition for those spots. He will be competing with former fourth-round pick Damarri Mathis, Taylor Reese, Quinton Newsome, and UDFA’s Jaden Robinson and Joshua Pickett for a spot or two on the Broncos’ practice squad.

The Broncos must have seen something in Goodrich during his time in the UFL; otherwise, they would not have signed him. This is the second straight offseason where the Broncos have signed a former UFL player to their roster. Last season, they signed edge rusher Dondrea Tillman, and that worked out for them as he recorded 5 sacks for them and is part of their edge rushing rotation. Hopefully, the Broncos have similar success with Goodrich moving forward.