Sean Payton wanted to bring a Joker to the Denver Broncos, and he got one in the third round

Sean Payton’s Joker

The Denver Broncos took a swing in the first round on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, drafting cornerback Jahdae Barron.

They moved on to pick RJ Harvey in the second round. However, the Joker was in the third round at 163 overall, Pat Bryant.

The giveaway is that the wide receiver’s size and speed don’t quite line up with those of a wide receiver. Bryant ran a 4.61 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

His weight is also a bit on the leaner side for a rookie wide receiver at 204 lbs, and he is 6’2″, which is a little on the taller side for purely a wide receiver.

Bryant is a jack of all trades but a master of none, which is perfect for Sean Payton to use at multiple positions.

Of course, his build could see some retooling by Payton in the form of instructions to slim up or add more weight.

However, Bryant serves as the perfect block of marble for the head coach to sculpt his own version of Michelangelo’s “The David.”

How Pat Bryant could fit into the roster

Bryant could be a wide receiver and tight end combo player. If he can be taught to hand off the ball, he could also be a gadget quarterback who can deliver powerful runs (Bryant rushed for the first time in his college career in 2024).

He might never be listed on the depth chart as the number one receiver or the number one tight end, but he could play snaps at many different positions. Bryant was drafted in the third round, so there’s not quite as much pressure to get him on the field as fast as possible as he learns his new unconventional tasks.

Of course, even if he primarily begins his NFL career as a receiver, it doesn’t mean Payton couldn’t sculpt him later to add more tricks up his sleeve. Bryant earned 984 yards and ten touchdowns in 2024 with Illinois, so he knows ways to get the ball even if he can’t win with speed.

Put simply, it appears the Broncos have found their Joker.