Broncos rookie named the team's biggest surprise player from OTAs and has positioned himself to compete for a larger role

The Denver Broncos are looking to build on a strong 2024 season, during which the team was part of the AFC playoff field. The team has already been hard at work preparing for their upcoming training camp and, of course, the 2025 season. 

One of their 2025 rookies is already made a strong impression during OTAs. And his showing on the field earned him the honor of being named the team's biggest surprise player from OTAs in a recent ESPN article. 

ESPN names rookie WR Pat Bryant as the Broncos' biggest surprise player from OTAS

"WR Pat Bryant

Perhaps it's difficult to be "under-the-radar'' when your head coach compares you to Michael Thomas before you've set foot in the team's facility, but the rookie showed he will do his part to carve out some playing time. The third-round pick (74th overall) ran a 4.61 40-yard dash at the combine, which deterred some in the league. But the Broncos saw a precise route runner who consistently created space with explosive release at the line of scrimmage.

He consistently showed physicality to win contested catches during the Broncos' offseason program, and quarterback Bo Nix showed the confidence to put the ball to Bryant in tight situations. Bryant's catch over first-round pick Jahdae Barron in minicamp was one of the best receptions in the three-day affair. Playing time will be hard to come by with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin getting most of the work with the starters, but Bryant is in the mix if he builds on his offseason work. -- Jeff Legwold"

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ESPN's Biggest surprise player for all 32 teams from the offseason

 

Pat Bryant was a player I was shocked didn't get more love during the 2025 NFL Draft process. Ultimately, he still came off the board in the third round, and many around the league began to wonder if the Broncos could have gotten a steal. He's already impressed the team and those watching on during OTAs. The Broncos never really unleashed Troy Franklin last season, so even if he is getting the starting reps now, I think Bryant could end up in a major training camp battle for the team's final starting WR job. If QB Bo Nix is going to take the sophomore leap some are projecting, the Broncos need to make sure their best playmakers are on the field, and right now there's no reason to write off Bryant as being one of them.