The Denver Broncos turned heads with their decision to select wide receiver Pat Bryant out of the University of Illinois in the second round of the 2025 draft, and the rookie did the same during the offseason program.
So much so that ESPN’s Jeff Legwold selected Bryant as the “under-the-radar” Broncos player who was the “biggest surprise” this spring.
Bryant has shown flashes of what Broncos head coach Sean Payton touted about him.
“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,” Legwold wrote on June 30.
“He consistently showed physicality to win contested catches during the Broncos’ offseason program.”
“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,” Legwold wrote about the Broncos rookie’s outlook, “but Bryant is in the mix if he builds on his offseason work.”
Pat Bryant Backed Up Sean Payton’s Comments During Broncos’ Offseason Program
GettyPat Bryant #13 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks.
Payton said to look beyond the fact that Bryant wears the same No. 13 Thomas wore while with the New Orleans Saints, where the Broncos’ head coach held the same role for the bulk of the 2019 Offensive Player of the Year’s career.
“There were so many things about his game that reminded me of Mike Thomas, and with respect to Mike, who became – holy cow. You don’t ever want to put pressure on a rookie like that; we’re just talking about traits. But really explosive off the line of scrimmage, very competitive, very tough,” Payton told reporters in April. “His size and his hands are outstanding.
“Obviously, he’s physical.”
“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,” Legwold wrote, citing a play the wideout made over fellow rookie Jahdae Barron during minicamp.
Pat Bryant Looking to Make Mark
GettyPat Bryant #WO08 of Illinois participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine.
Bryant took Payton’s comments in stride, and said his focus was to do impress the Broncos upon his arrival.
“Just hearing him make those comparisons, Mike Thomas, great player. Did a lot of great things in the league, and just the success that he had in that offense, and my ability to play one of those similar roles, very, very, special,” Bryant told Austen Lane and Brent Martineau on “Action Sports Jax” in May. “At the end of the day, it’s up to me. It’s always going to be pressure. So, I kind of take the pressure and just add it, fuel to the fire. Just keep going and keep working.”
Bryant’s next opportunity to do that will be when training camp opens on July 22.
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