Why I'm Buying the Early Broncos Hype Around Pat Bryant

Pat Bryant's rise is for real.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) during Denver Broncos Training Camp. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Denver Broncos were believed to have reached big time when they selected Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Many draft analysts viewed Bryant as a late fourth- or fifth-round pick, and the Broncos took him with the No. 74 overall pick, roughly 75 spots higher than where many had him ranked. 

Bryant had a slow start to his rookie season, as he hardly saw the field over the first few weeks with only 31 total snaps. However, he started to get more snaps, showcasing what he brings to the table, and he would’ve had the second-most snaps at wide receiver over the final eight weeks of the season if it weren’t for injuries. 

The One Concern

Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) is taken off the field after an injury during the second at Empower Field at Mile High. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

If there's a concern about Bryant, it's the injuries he suffered as a rookie. A couple of them were scary, including one hospitalization.

He dealt with two concussions in close succession late in the season and again in the divisional round of the playoffs, and then a hamstring injury in the AFC championship game that caused him to miss time as well.

Those injuries lead to concerns for this season, especially the concussions, but hopefully Bryant wears a Guardian Cap, which has been proven to help cut down on head injuries. 

The Hype is Real, Though

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) and wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) during Denver Broncos Training Camp. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Through the first two weeks of training camp this summer, Bryant has been one of the top standouts and one of the most consistent. It's still early in training camp, and the Broncos' preseason games haven’t started yet, but Bryant has made a clear leap, which is leading to some hype.

At this stage, whatever stock there is to buy on Bryant, get some. You'll be glad you did.

When Courtland Sutton missed three straight practices last week for "load management," Bryant stepped in and balled out. There hasn’t been a single training camp practice where Bryant hasn’t stood out, and that level of consistency is noteworthy and more meaningful than the individual big plays he's made.

One of the pros of Bryant pre-draft was the level of consistency in every element of his game. He wasn’t the most explosive or athletic receiver, though his tape showed that he's a better athlete than his testing suggested. He was consistent and reliable with his routes and hands, something the Broncos have struggled to find in their receivers over the past few years. 

The Takeaway

Bryant is poised to be the Broncos' No. 3 receiver, not only in snap counts but also on the stat sheet. If Bryant keeps rising, it could call Sutton's future with the Broncos beyond 2026 into question, with Bryant able to step in and replace him. 

The hype around Bryant is at an all-time high, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see it grow even more. There isn’t a single player on the Broncos' roster who has made more of their opportunities and chances in practice than Bryant thus far.

With the consistency, reliability, and play-making he's shown, I'm absolutely buying the hype around Bryant. He's emerged as the Broncos' top breakout candidate for 2026.

Sign up for our free Denver Broncos On SI newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!