Broncos Playmaker Gets Strong Endorsement After Turning Heads

The Denver Broncos have broken mandatory minicamp and will not reconvene until training camp later this summer. When they do, second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele may find himself in a battle with rookie Pat Bryant.

The Broncos selected Bryant in the third round (No. 74 overall) of the 2025 draft, adding him to a group, including top option Courtland Sutton, but no other true proven commodities.

With Vele missing mandatory minicamp, Bryant took advantage.

A video of Bryant tapping his toes while hauling in a touchdown in practice made the rounds on social media, and it got Broncos fans excited, matching the early reports and even head coach Sean Payton’s account of the rookie’s early showing.

“Steal of the draft,” one fan posted on X, quoting the video of Bryant’s toe tap.

Another fan suggested there were pre-draft scouting reports critiquing Bryant’s route running, and that they were erroneous.

Some fans pointed to the similarities between Bryant and former first-round draft pick Jerry Jeudy, whom the Broncos traded to the Cleveland Browns before last season. Others touted Bryant as the type of player Broncos fans hoped Jeudy, a Pro Bowler in 2024, would be.

According to Payton, who previously compared Bryant to former New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas, the rookie fits the “certain profile” of players they want.

“There’s little things that we’re coaching up. But you like what you see. I like what I see. And so, he’s tough. And look, there’s things that – he’s catching one like this and another – there’s things that you’re immediately on these guys, and that’s good to great. That’s coaching. But interview him, be around him. It’s so important to him,” Payton told reporters following the conclusion of their mandatory minicamp on June 12.

“I would say that’s probably the case with so many of these young guys. It’s not an accident, there’s a profile we’re looking for. And it’s not easy always. Sometimes that requires more trips and visits. But we’re looking for a certain profile.”

Bryant’s physical profile is certainly not what sets him apart from his fellow Broncos wideouts.

Pat Bryant Standing Out Among Broncos’ Big-Bodied Pass Catchers

The Broncos list Bryant at 6-foot-2. Bryant is shorter than the 6-foot-5 Vele, who was the team’s de facto WR2 behind Sutton, finishing with 41 receptions for 475 yards and 3 touchdowns, and 2024 fourth-round pick Troy Franklin Jr., who is 6-foot-2.

Franklin posted a 28-263-2 line as a rookie and has a rapport with Broncos quarterback Bo Nix dating back to college, which Bryant cannot boast.

However, Franklin profiles as more of a deep threat for the Broncos.

“There’s that repetition is the mother of learning, and you’re seeing him play faster, with a much greater awareness within each play,” Payton said on Friday. “He’s extremely explosive, and I think he’s, I would say, five pounds heavier. A little thicker, but he’s had a good spring.”

Franklin could squeeze third-year man Marvin Mims Jr., an All-Pro and Pro Bowl return man, for reps at wideout more than prevent Bryant from earning his keep in the Broncos’ offense.

Mims’ ability to operate in a gadget role will keep him on the field in some capacity.

Athletically, Bryant profiles closer to Sutton, Vele, and even former trusted Broncos pass catcher, Tim Patrick Jr., who battled injuries during his tenure in Denver but had a resurgence with the Detroit Lions in 2024, than Franklin.

Sean Payton Shuts Down Devaughn Vele Question

Vele participated in the Broncos’ organized team activities and looked good, even with Bryant making his mark. Still, his absence from mandatory minicamp raised eyebrows.

Payton was asked if Vele was dealing with anything that would prevent him from participating on the field during training camp. The head coach answered, saying Vele would be “full-go,” and bristled when faced with a follow-up question.

“Everything’s good,” Payton initially answered before the second part of the question. “That’s it. Did you hear me? That’s what ‘that’s it’ means: it stops. We should be – There may be one player, [A.T.] Perry, that might go a week into training camp, and then be ready depending on how the summer goes. But outside of that, we expect everyone back.”

Vele looked good during OTAs.

Still, whether that means Vele can hold off Bryant in the Broncos’ offense in training camp or even into the regular season remains to be seen.