Super Bowl Champion Praises Eyebrow-Raising Broncos Playmaker

The Denver Broncos had their first full day of training camp on Friday, and there were plenty of plaudits to go around for rookie third-round pick and wide receiver Pat Bryant.

The Broncos selected Bryant with the No. 74 overall pick of the 2025 draft.

DNVR Broncos Zac Stevens relayed a conversation with colleague and 2015 Broncos Super Bowl champion, former NFL wide receiver Bennie Fowler, in which the latter raved about what he saw from Bryant during his visit to training camp.

According to Stevens, Fowler was “impressed” with how Bryant “manipulated the zone” and his physical presence.

Fowler posted on X that he expects a “fierce” battle behind WR1 Courtland Sutton.

“Pat Bryant looks like a grown man out there,” Fowler posted on X on July 25 after touting Broncos wideout Marvin Mims’ “confidence” and saying Troy Franklin “stood out” in Friday’s practice. “Smooth, strong hands, and a natural feel for space. He’s going to make things interesting.”

Stevens said the play between Bryant and Nix “speaks worlds to [Bryant’s] football intelligence.”

Pat Bryant Raises Eyebrows During Broncos Training Camp

Stevens compared Bryant’s early connection with Nix to the chemistry often displayed between Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. However, Bryant still has a long way to go and several teammates to surpass to solidify himself as the Broncos’ WR2.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton has compared Bryant to former New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas.

Bryant has raised eyebrows with his performance in training camp.

“Broncos rookie WR Pat Bryant has them hops and hands,” KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM posted on X on July 25, along with a highlight package of the 6-foot-2 wideout going through drills and the looking eyes emoji.

DNVR Broncos’ Zac Stevens noted Bryant had arguably the “most impressive play from a young guy” in Friday’s practice on a connection with quarterback Bo Nix.

Bryant was one of Stevens’ “biggest takeaways.”

“Pat Bryant. Man, he flashed in OTAs. We told you guys when he flashed in OTAs, and we’re like, ‘Okay, well, we’ll wait until training camp comes around.’ Obviously, there’s a next step of pads, and then there’s preseason, but he has not missed a beat. Pat Bryant looks like the real deal, and not just as a No. 2 receiver for the Broncos in the future, a potential No. 1 receiver for the Broncos in the future, and a legitimate option Week 1 of this year. He looks like a vet physically. He looks like a vet,” Stevens said on “The DNVR Broncos Podcast” on July 25.

“It’s maybe those four years in college that allowed his body to really develop. But then, he also looks like a vet on the field. He knows where he’s going.”

New ‘Joker’ Adds Wrinkle to Broncos’ WR Situation

The Broncos might not need to rely on Bryant or their other young receivers. That is because of new tight end Evan Engram. Engram will fill the mismatch-exploiting “joker” role in the Broncos’ offense. He has already lined up across the formation in practice.

iHeart Radio’s Zach Segars noted the Broncos making a point to target Engram on Friday.

“Engram had a strong day in his own right, but what really caught my eye was what felt like an emphasis on getting him as many targets from Bo Nix as possible,” Segars posted on X on July 25. “During the first period, Engram worked heavily with Bo while other receivers worked with the other QBs.”

Engram is a two-time Pro Bowler with a 100-plus-catch campaign in his recent history. His emergence would take pressure off the Broncos’ young playmakers, like Bryant.