After passing on a glut of early-round receiver talent, Denver finally swung on a wideout in the third round of Friday night’s NFL draft.
Denver selected Illinois receiver Pat Bryant with pick No. 74, a new vertical threat entering Sean Payton and the Broncos’ offensive plans for 2025. He’s a ready-made fit in sheer frame for Payton, at a big-bodied 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds.
Bryant broke out last year for Illinois, racking up 984 yards on 54 catches and 10 touchdowns. He could be a legitimate red-zone target for Denver with a 37.5-inch vertical jump, despite a 4.61-second 40-yard dash that ranked second-slowest of 39 receivers at the NFL combine. He’ll also bring a steady set of hands for second-year quarterback Bo Nix, as he recorded just one drop in 78 targets last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Broncos jumped up from an original No. 85 third-round slot to No. 74 after a maddening flurry of pick-swaps, the dust settling after dangling their second-round slot to the hungry Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions. After sliding down to No. 60 and landing their running back in UCF’s RJ Harvey, a number of potential draft needs still lay on the board for Denver: tight end, wide receiver, defensive line.
Tight ends, in particular, flew off the board faster than many anticipated, as a glut of second-tier options like LSU’s Mason Taylor, Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson and Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. went in the second and third rounds. And Texas tight end Gunnar Helm sat, waiting, at No. 74, a Cherry Creek High product who previously told The Denver Post it’d be a “great honor” to play for the Broncos.
And Denver, ultimately, opted for a different kind of receiving threat, as Bryant will join Courtland Sutton and a glut of young receivers come 2025.
Pat Bryant, Illinois
Round/pick: 3rd/74
Age: 22
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 204 pounds
College: Illinois
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Notable: Bryant was a staple for Illinois and coach Bret Bielema for multiple seasons. He saw his production increase each year of his college career, culminating with 54 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. He caught 17 total touchdowns over his final two seasons. Not straight-line fast, clocking a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s known for being a quality route runner and a willing blocker. According to The Athletic, Bryant had just one drop on 78 targets in 2024.
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