The Denver Broncos are going to find out if lightning can strike in the same place twice.
After finding a diamond in the rough with former UFL star Dondrea Tillman, who has now become a key piece of the team's pass rush depth, the Broncos have made a late addition to the roster ahead of the team's final preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. After a tryout on Tuesday, the Broncos signed Ron Stone Jr., who was most recently a member of the Columbus Aviators in the UFL.
The signing of Stone likely seals the fate and future of 2023 3rd-round pick Drew Sanders, who notched a sack in the very first preseason game against the Falcons, but hasn't been able to practice since then due to injury.
It feels like a foregone conclusion that the Broncos are going to move on from Sanders, and are even making alternate plans for players they could bring back onto the practice squad.
Denver Broncos signing Ron Stone Jr. likely seals Drew Sanders' fate at roster cuts
Let's take a deeper dive into Stone for a moment, because this is potentially a significant signing.
Over the last two seasons in the UFL, playing for the Columbus Aviators and Michigan Panthers, Stone racked up 9.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss over the span of 19 total games. He showed off some nice pass rush abilities, and the Broncos are giving him a shot to contribute to the best pass rush in the entire NFL.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph was impressed by Stone's first practice with the team, and said that he's going to be expected to play a lot in Friday's game against the Vikings:
New Bronco Ron Stone Jr made plays in his first practice, per Vance Joseph pic.twitter.com/Saxon0gywf
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) August 25, 2026
Stone has an interesting connection already on the Broncos' coaching staff in linebackers coach Jeff Schmedding, who was his defensive coordinator for one season (2023) at Washington State.
The ties that bind in the NFL...
Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post said in a recent article that the timing of the Stone signing "lines him up to be a contender for the 53-man roster". The plot thickens.
Gabriel's post also notes that the Broncos still don't know what the situation with Jonathon Cooper will develop into at the start of the season, whether he will be suspended by the league or placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List. Or nothing.
Regardless, Stone becomes an interesting late addition for depth, and he's getting a golden opportunity to make a first impression.
Drew Sanders' time with the Denver Broncos is quickly coming to a close
Although it feels like everyone in Broncos Country has had ample time to come to terms with it, Drew Sanders's time with the team is likely nearing its end.
After the Broncos took him 67th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, he was thought to be a big-time steal in his class and someone the team could eventually plug in as a long-term starting option at inside linebacker. Multiple position switches and far too many injuries later, and Sanders' time with the team seems to be nearing its end. The addition of a player like Stone all but seals it.
The Broncos know they need some additional depth in the pass rush department with Cooper's situation, and they don't want there to be any sort of drop-off. Not only will Stone be asked to get after the QB, but play special teams for Darren Rizzi as well.
He'll be wearing No. 53 for the team and will immediately become one of the more interesting players to watch against the Vikings in Friday night's preseason finale.
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