Broncos Third Round Pick Called ‘Biggest Impact’ NFL Rookie WR

“Pat Bryant is making waves and is impressive in the Denver Broncos’ training camp practices,” Parson wrote on July 28. “Their third-round pick joins a diverse, young, and talented group of wide receivers. His day-two price tag helped paint a clear picture of the Broncos’ coaching staff’s belief in his abilities. Bryant brings outstanding ball skills, hands, and body control at the catch point.”

Bryant Turned Heads in Final Big Ten Season

Experts had Bryant projected as a late round pick — sixth or seventh round — but the Broncos and head coach Sean Payton saw enough to take him at No. 74 overall. In his final season at Illinois, Bryant led the team with 54 receptions for 984 yards and a s single-season record 10 touchdown receptions in 2024.

He also had one of the more clutch catch-and-runs anyone saw in 2024 on a 40-yard game-winning touchdown reception against Rutgers with just 3 seconds left.

Payton, Bryant Could Be Potent NFL Combo

In his first 3 drafts with the Broncos, Payton has taken wide receivers more than any other position — 4 times since 2023 but never in the first round.

Bryant has drawn early comparisons to the best wide receiver Payton has drafted in 20-plus seasons as an NFL head coach. In 2016, Payton selected Ohio State’s Michael Thomas in the second round (No. 47 overall) — 3 years later Thomas was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year after setting the NFL single-season record with 149 receptions to go with 1,725 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.

ESPN’s Ben Solak put Bryant on his list of “5 NFL Rookies To Watch” headed into training camp and singled out his possible connection with Payton as a reason why he might thrive.

“After a strong debut season for Bo Nix and a well-earned playoff berth, the Broncos had one big objective this offseason: Get more dangerous on offense,” Solak wrote on July 16. ” … Bryant is a big, physical pass catcher who landed with a perfect playcaller — Sean Payton — for his skill set. Expect Bryant to split his time between the slot and out wide. If he wins balls in traffic as easily as he did in college, he’ll quickly vault (Marvin) Mims as the WR2 and add another layer to this offense in need of more viable options.”

With Sutton locked in at WR1, the next 2 spots seem like they’re going to come down to a 4-way battle between Bryant, 2-time NFL All-Pro return specialist Marvin Mims and a pair of second year wide receivers who flashed at times in 2024 with DeVaughn Vele and Troy Franklin.