UDFA WR Joseph Manjack IV is an intriguing practice squad candidate for the Broncos
At the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos agreed to terms with a total of 13 undrafted free agents to go along with their seven draft picks. One of those undrafted free agents was TCU wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV. Manjack IV is a 6-2, 197-pound wide receiver with 4.51 speed and a 36.5-inch vertical jump who started his college career at USC before playing at Houston for three seasons and then this past year at TCU. During his college career, he appeared in 50 games and totaled 134 receptions for 1,732 yards and 13 touchdowns. This past year for TCU, Manjack IV appeared in 13 games and totaled 44 receptions for 579 yards and 3 touchdowns. Now, he joins a loaded Broncos wide receiver room where he has very low odds of cracking the 53-man roster. The reality of the situation is that he is competing with veterans Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Michael Bandy for a spot on their 16-man practice squad, and history shows that those two will be tough to replace. Sean Payton and the Broncos coaching staff trust those two, and they are the current favorites to be the wide receivers on the Broncos’ practice squad. Joseph Manjack IV | Wide Receiver | Denver Broncos Height: 6-2 Weight: 197 pounds Arm Length: 31 1/4 inches Hand Size: 9 1/8 inches Experience: Rookie 40-time: 4.51 seconds Vertical Jump: 36.5 inches Short Shuttle: 4.15 seconds 3-Cone Drill: 6.84 seconds Bench Press: 9 reps The reality of the situation is that it’s going to be tough for him to stick around. Looking at the roster currently, Jaylen Waddle , Courtland Sutton , Marvin Mims , Troy Franklin , and Pat Bryant are locked into roster spots. After that, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Michael Bandy have been the veteran depth on the roster for multiple years now. Many UDFA wide receivers have come and gone, while these veterans have stuck around. Forget the 53-man because that’s highly unlikely. Manjack IV and the rest of the Broncos undrafted rookies will be competing with Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Michael Bandy for a spot on the Broncos 16-man practice squad. Those two have the clear edge because they know the offense and have the trust of the coaching staff. Hell, LJH made a key play in the Broncos Divisional Round victory over the Bills, and Bandy scored a touchdown during their victory over the Packers late in the year. Taking either of these spots on the team will be difficult. Manjack IV will need to show he can be a trusted wide receiver and contribute in other ways on the team. LJH is known for his blocking and has made some key plays for the team as a wide receiver. Bandy is your prototypical slot receiver who is a savvy route runner who can contribute as a returner as well. Manjack IV will likely need to show he can be a reliable wide receiver, route runner, and special teamer if he wants to make the team. It will be tough, but Manjack IV does have traits that Sean Payton typically looks for in a player. He’s sure-handed, known for his blocking, has decent size, and has the character/work ethic they value. It will be tough, but Manjack IV will have the opportunity to impress the Broncos coaches throughout the offseason and during training camp and preseason. It will be tough for Manjack IV or any of the undrafted wide receivers the Broncos signed to stick around. Barring multiple injuries or surprise trades, there really isn’t a spot on the 53-man roster for them, and as I mentioned, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Michael Bandy will be tough to replace as the preferred depth options. Manjack IV will need to have a strong summer if he wants to stick around. Obviously, making plays as a wide receiver helps, but his ability to block and contribute on special teams might be more important for him. Being able to contribute in multiple ways will significantly improve his chances of making the practice squad and force the Broncos to find a way to keep him. It will be tough, but not impossible. Manjack IV has the traits the team typically likes in a pla [... truncated ...]