NFL Draft Profile: Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant

The Denver Broncos selected Illinois wide reciever Pat Bryant in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

In the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant. He is a 6’2, 204-pound wide receiver who is viewed as a sure-handed possession receiver who is one of the better run-blocking receivers in the draft. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler had Bryant ranked as his 21st-best receiver in the draft and had a 5th-round grade on him.

Bryant played a total of four seasons at Illinois and is coming off his best season with the team. During his four-year career, Bryant played in 46 games, which included 35 starts, and totaled 137 receptions for 2,095 yards and 19 touchdowns. This past year, he started all 12 games and totaled 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdown receptions.

Player Profile

Pat Bryant | Wide Receiver | Broncos

• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 204 pounds
• Hands: 9 ¹⁄₂ inches
• Arm Length: 31 1/8 inches
• Wingspan: 78 inches
• 40 Yard Dash 4.61 seconds
• 10-Yard split: 1.62 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 37 inches
• Broad Jump: 10’4”

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Has good size and play strength
• Tough and physical receiver in all areas of the game
• Sure-handed and only had one drop during his 2024 season at Illinois
• Has no issue making plays in the middle of the field
• Did well against contested catches
• Good body control and is able to tiptoe along the sideline to make some fantastic catches
• Does well against press coverage and jams at the LOS
• While not overly fast, he is a long strider who can produce some YAC
• Loves to run block
• Made multiple clutch game-winning plays
• Good character and was a team captain
• Coming off his best season at Illinois
• Sean Payton compared him to Michael Thomas

Weaknesses

• 4.61 40-time
• May not have the long speed to challenge defenders down the field consistently
• Not an overly dynamic wide receiver
• Will need to expand his route tree

Pat Bryant RAS

What other analysts are saying about Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant

The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on Broncos WR Pat Bryant

A three-year starter at Illinois, Bryant played the Z position in offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr.’s multiple pro-style scheme, although he was flexed across the formation, including to the slot, inline and in the backfield. His production and impact improved each of his four seasons in Champaign, culminating with an All-Big Ten senior year that included three game-winning touchdowns in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime.

A good-sized target, Bryant plays with quick eyes and confident hands to snare fastballs and get downhill immediately (77.8 percent of his catches in 2024 resulted in a first down or touchdown). He doesn’t have a threatening vertical gear, and his separation burst is average, but he skillfully uses his frame and subtle pushes through the route to finish back-shoulder grabs and crowded catch windows don’t appear to disrupt his concentration. Overall, Bryant isn’t super dynamic, which will be tougher to mask against NFL competition, but his body coordination and ascending technique match well with his natural tracking skills. He projects as a backup possession target who can fight for a WR2 or WR3 role in the right situation.

How WR Pat Bryant fits on the Broncos roster

Last season, we saw Lil’Jordan Humphrey earn a 50% snap share with the Broncos despite not being an overly effective receiver. Bryant will likely fill that role and see a decent amount of playing time during his rookie season. On top of that, he is a sure-handed receiver with some sneaky run-after-the-catch ability despite his 40-time. He is a big and physical receiver who can be a sure-handed possession receiver for Sean Payton.

The Broncos have their explosive receivers in Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin, and now they add another big physical guy to that room. He was picked a bit earlier than anticipated but Sean Payton doesn’t give a shit about these media draft boards. He profiles as a player who fits well and can operate in his system. He wasn’t a reach on their board and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.