ENGLEWOOD — Broncos third-round wide receiver Pat Bryant is selfish for contested catches.
Even with first-round defensive back Jahdae Barron draped in coverage.
“When the ball is in the air, it’s mine,” Bryant said last week during rookie minicamp practices at Broncos Park. “That was great coverage by Jahdae. Of course, we’re teammates and take care of each other, but those are the catches that I have to make to be successful at this level.”
Barron is already impressed with Bryant and his seemingly endless catch radius at 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds.
“He’s amazing. He’s consistent. That’s always good as a football player,” Barron said. “Coaches want somebody they can trust, and that’s him.”
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Bryant — the team’s No. 74 overall pick from the University of Illinois — joins a competitive 2025 wide receiver unit in Denver expected to include returning players Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin.
How will Bryant stand out?
“Just being that physical route receiver,” Bryant said. “At Illinois, I earned my way on to the field being that blocking guy and physical guy. Kind of add that to the catching game and really all aspects of my game. Really using my size as an advantage will help me at this next level.”
Bryant was a four-year starter at Illinois with a breakout senior season.
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He tallied 54 catches last year and 77.8% went for a touchdown or first down. Bryant’s 10 receiving touchdowns tied a school record. He stepped up in clutch situations, too, with three game-winning touchdowns in the final 2 minutes of overtime or regulation.
His favorite game winner?
A 25-yard touchdown catch — high-pointing the football in the back of the end zone — to beat Purdue, 50-49, in OT last October. The rival Big Ten programs compete for a trophy nicknamed The Cannon.
“I would probably say Purdue. Because I’d been at Illinois four years and never won the trophy,” Bryant recalled. “A play that I actually called on the sidelines, just perfecting that, winning the game and bringing the trophy back home was very special.”
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Broncos coach Sean Payton lauded Bryant in his post-draft news conference and compared the Illinois product to ex-Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Payton said that “you don’t ever want to put pressure on a rookie like that,” but he can’t ignore Bryant’s unique physical traits.
“I really think the body of work, and all the additional film study, but his size and his hands are outstanding. His competes,” Payton said. “He was just a player that excelled in crunch time.”
Bryant, 22, is ready to showcase his talents with quarterback Bo Nix in the upcoming NFL season with rookie minicamp in the rearview mirror.
“It’s been smooth just coming off of the combine training … for the 40-yard dash and stuff like that. Finally getting back to football,” Bryant said. “It’s the game I love. I’m excited to get back on to that grass and play ball.”