Broncos Undrafted Rookie Spotlight: Paul Manning's unlikely road to the NFL

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May 24, 2026 - 20:34

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Broncos Undrafted Rookie Spotlight: Paul Manning's unlikely road to the NFL originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Following the 2026 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos signed a wave of free agents that went undrafted. Hundreds of undrafted players joined NFL teams, but many more NFL hopefuls were still looking for their chance.

Paul Manning was one of those players. He accepted an invite to try out for the Broncos at their rookie minicamp, May 8-10 and ended up doing enough to impress the coaching staff and he was signed to a contract there and then, showing that there are many avenues to continue your professional football dreams.

The signing of Manning meant that William Wright, a cornerback out of Tennessee whom the Broncos signed after the draft, no longer had a spot on the roster.

Name: Paul Manning
Position: Cornerback
School: Henderson State
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 188

Manning comes from tiny Henderson State University, which is located in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. That is one of the reasons he flew under everyone's radar in the process leading up to the draft.

He will become a fan favorite in Denver due to his last name, combined with the fact that his first name starts with the letter P, the same as former Broncos legend Peyton Manning. But that may just be a fun talking point for the summer unless he truly impresses in camp.

Manning is a speedy corner who is strong for his size. He collected 24 tackles, had one sack, forced two fumbles and broke up seven passes last season for the Reddies. He already has one feather in his cap after earning a contract in the team's short minicamp.

Chances of making final 53-man roster (1-10 scale): 1

Manning joins one of the best secondaries in the NFL, one that includes Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss, Ja'Quan McMillian and Jahdae Barron. Each of those players is all but guaranteed a roster spot and Kris Abrams-Draine will almost certainly have one of those locked up as well.

If the Broncos choose to keep a sixth cornerback on the 53-man roster, Jaden Robinson and fellow undrafted rookies Ahmari Harvey and Brent Austin are all on the depth chart as well, leaving many names for Manning to leapfrog.

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Manning will be the low man on the totem pole entering camp, but he should have a chance to impress early and he'll have the confidence of already clearing one hurdle by winning a contract in minicamp. Still, his best bet will be to earn a spot on the team's practice squad.