Juwann Winfree Bio
Juwann Winfree (born September 4, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver who plays in the National Football League. After a winding college journey that included stops at the University of Maryland, Coffeyville Community College, and the University of Colorado, Winfree was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft. He has since spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans, building a career shaped by perseverance through injuries and roster movement.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 209 pounds, Winfree combines the physical profile of an outside receiver with the resilience required to survive in a competitive league. His professional path reflects a steady commitment to developing his craft despite early setbacks, including a torn ACL in college and multiple practice squad elevations across several organizations.
Early Life and Background
Juwann Winfree was born on September 4, 1996, in Manhattan, New York, and later relocated to New Jersey, where he attended the Academies at Englewood, a magnet sibling school to Dwight Morrow High School in Englewood. The school district, located just across the Hudson River from New York City, became a formative environment for his athletic development. Winfree grew into a respected local football prospect and later received the Key to the City of Englewood from Mayor Michael Wildes on June 23, 2019, recognizing his contributions to the community.
During that same ceremony, his father announced the creation of Team Winfree Youth Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to hosting low-cost camps for football, soccer, and basketball, along with leadership conferences for area youth. The foundation reflects the Winfree family’s emphasis on mentorship and youth development in Englewood. This background helped shape Winfree’s understanding of community responsibility alongside his athletic ambitions.
Path to American Football
Winfree first began his college career at the University of Maryland, where as a freshman he finished the 2014 season with 158 receiving yards on six receptions. His time with the Terrapins was cut short when he was dismissed from the team due to an undisclosed code of conduct violation, forcing a reset in his collegiate trajectory. The setback became a turning point, as Winfree sought a new environment to rebuild his standing as a prospect.
He admitted to Coffeyville Community College for the 2015 season, competing at the junior college level to restore his recruitment profile. After one year at Coffeyville, Winfree transferred to the University of Colorado, joining the Colorado Buffaloes program. The move marked the beginning of his climb back toward major college football prominence and ultimately set the stage for his NFL opportunity.
Juwann Winfree Career
Early Career (2016-2018)
Winfree did not play in 2016 at Colorado after suffering a torn ACL during off-season workouts, delaying his Buffaloes debut. The injury tested his patience, but Winfree returned in 2017 and made his first NCAA appearance in three years, finishing the year with 325 receiving yards. The bounce-back season signaled his recovery and reaffirmed his potential as a downfield receiver.
During an injury-riddled 2018 campaign, Winfree still managed 324 receiving yards, demonstrating consistency in production even while managing physical setbacks. His body of work across two healthy seasons at Colorado proved enough to attract NFL interest, and he entered the 2019 draft process as a developmental wide receiver prospect with size and catch-radius upside.
Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Winfree was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round, 187th overall, of the 2019 NFL draft. He appeared in three games during his rookie season before being placed on injured reserve on December 14, 2019. The limited action offered an early glimpse of his ability before injuries interrupted his progress with the team.
On September 5, 2020, Winfree was waived by the Broncos as the franchise reshaped its roster. The release ended his initial NFL chapter but opened the door for new opportunities elsewhere in the league.
Green Bay Packers Era (2020-2022)
On October 1, 2020, Winfree was signed to the practice squad of the Green Bay Packers, joining one of the NFL’s most established organizations. He was elevated to the active roster on November 14 and December 12 for the team’s weeks 10 and 14 games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions, reverting to the practice squad after each appearance. On January 26, 2021, Winfree signed a reserves/futures contract with the Packers, securing his place in the team’s long-term plans.
After being released as part of final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, Winfree was signed back to the Packers’ practice squad the next day. He was elevated multiple times during the 2021 season, and on October 28, ahead of a Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals, he recorded his first NFL catch, a 12-yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He finished that contest with four catches for 30 yards, a memorable early milestone. On December 14, 2021, the Packers signed Winfree to their active roster, cementing his first full-time NFL role.
In 2022, Winfree continued moving between the practice squad and active roster, with elevations on September 10, September 24, and October 15. His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 8, 2023, closing a productive three-year stint in Green Bay.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2023-2024)
On May 9, 2023, Winfree signed with the Indianapolis Colts, beginning a new chapter in his career. He was released on August 29 and quickly re-signed to the practice squad, a familiar pattern in his journeyman trajectory. Winfree was promoted to the active roster on October 17 before being waived on December 9.
He was signed back to the practice squad on December 19 and promoted to the active roster on January 2, 2024, giving him late-season experience with the Colts. Winfree was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, sidelining him during the early portion of the year and ultimately leading to his departure from Indianapolis.
Houston Texans Era (2025-Present)
On August 19, 2025, Winfree signed with the Houston Texans, joining another competitive AFC franchise. His tenure in Houston was brief, as he was released on September 1, 2025. The short stop continued Winfree’s pattern of moving between practice squad opportunities and short stints on active rosters across multiple teams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Winfree offers the size and catch radius of a prototypical outside receiver, paired with the route-running polish refined during his time in Green Bay’s system. His development under quarterback Aaron Rodgers and within the Packers’ receiver room sharpened his timing and contested-catch ability. Across stops, he has shown the work ethic and special-teams willingness that keep skill-position players employed in the NFL.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Winfree’s career came on October 28, 2021, when he caught his first NFL pass, a 12-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers against the Arizona Cardinals. Being awarded the Key to the City of Englewood in 2019, alongside the launch of Team Winfree Youth Foundation, also stands as a milestone that connects his professional journey to his hometown roots.
Juwann Winfree Career Wins
Juwann Winfree’s career wins are best measured in resilience and longevity rather than statistical totals. His first NFL catch against the Arizona Cardinals in 2021 remains his most celebrated on-field achievement, and he has accumulated multiple practice squad elevations and active-roster promotions across Denver, Green Bay, Indianapolis, and Houston. While he has not yet posted a Pro Bowl or major statistical award, his sustained presence in the league since 2019 represents a notable win in its own right.
NFL Highlights
Winfree’s first NFL reception, four catches for 30 yards against the Arizona Cardinals on October 28, 2021, headlines his professional production. He also appeared in three games with the Denver Broncos during his 2019 rookie season before a season-ending injured reserve placement. His elevation to the Packers’ active roster on December 14, 2021, marked his longest continuous active-roster stretch in the league.
Other Performances
At the college level, Winfree posted back-to-back 300-plus-yard receiving seasons at Colorado in 2017 and 2018, despite the latter being shortened by injuries. His 158 receiving yards as a freshman at Maryland in 2014 hinted at his early promise before his dismissal. These performances collectively reinforced his standing as a draft-eligible prospect in 2019.
Juwann Winfree Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Winfree’s father publicly announced the formation of Team Winfree Youth Foundation on June 23, 2019, an event that highlighted the Winfree family’s commitment to community service in Englewood, New Jersey. The foundation organizes low-cost camps for football, soccer, and basketball, as well as leadership conferences for area youth. Family ties to the Englewood community remain a defining part of Winfree’s personal identity.
Personal Life
Juwann Winfree was born and raised with ties to both Manhattan, New York, and Englewood, New Jersey, where he attended the Academies at Englewood. He maintains an active presence on social media, including his verified accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. His off-field priorities include supporting youth development through his family’s nonprofit work in the Englewood area.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season began with Winfree signing with the Houston Texans on August 19, signaling another opportunity to compete for a roster spot in a competitive AFC South environment. His release on September 1, 2025, ended a brief Texans stint and returned him to the open market. As a veteran wide receiver with practice squad experience across four organizations, Winfree remains a candidate for late-season call-ups or futures contracts.
Across the league, journeyman receivers like Winfree often find new opportunities following injuries to active-roster players during the regular season. His familiarity with multiple offensive systems, including those of Green Bay and Indianapolis, gives him tactical versatility for potential suitors. Teams in need of experienced depth at wide receiver or special teams may view Winfree as a low-risk addition in the second half of 2025.
Looking ahead, Winfree’s career trajectory hinges on staying healthy and capitalizing on the next opportunity that arises. His track record of perseverance through injuries, roster moves, and practice squad elevations suggests he will continue pursuing an NFL roster spot throughout the 2025 season and beyond.