The Denver Broncos have found a wide receiver in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but much like their previous two picks in this draft, it’s a player who hasn’t really been connected to the team in pre-draft reports that have been out there.
But Sean Payton and George Paton have clearly identified players that they like in this draft and are finding a way to get. With their third-round pick (No. 74 overall), the Broncos selected Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant. It will be considered a reach by most as Bryant had a later draft grade on him.
Bryant is a big-bodied wide receiver who may remind Payton of one of his old Saints wide receivers, Marques Colston. He has tremendous ball skills and caught 19 touchdowns in college, including 10 last year. He also averaged 15.3 yards per catch in his career at Illinois.
He joins a growing wide receiver room in Denver but should have a chance to make an impact as a rookie. The Broncos have Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele who should all be part of next season’s squad, but there will be room for Bryant to make an impact.
The issue with many fans will be that the Broncos took Bryant over wide receivers like Jaylin Noel, Elic Ayomanor and Tory Horton, but the front office is making sure it gets the players it wants, regardless of rankings.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Payton has always preferred the bigger-bodied wide receivers who can make plays over the top in the passing game and while Ayomanor could do that, Bryant apparently has some physical traits that were just a better fit for what is being built in Denver.
NFL Draft Trades Tracker
MORE BRONCOS CONTENT
Broncos find their running back in second round after trading back twice
One completely overlooked reason Broncos may have drafted Jahdae Barron
Denver Broncos day 2 mock draft: What does team do with next two picks?
4 running backs Denver Broncos must consider taking in round 2 of NFL Draft
Broncos Consensus Draft Grades: What do experts think of Jahdae Barron pick?
Read the full article here