Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

ESPN Spotlights Broncos Rookie Receiver as Most Surprising Player in Offseason

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Valentine | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 2:15 PM ET

Training camp is just a few weeks away for the Denver Broncos and the rest of the NFL, and naturally, teams and coaches will be looking towards building their rosters ahead of the 2025 season. Part of that roster construction stems from turning over every stone and seeing who stands out in training camp and OTAs.

On Monday, ESPN’s Jeff Legwold wrote an article covering each team’s biggest offseason surprise player, and his pick for the Broncos was rookie receiver Pat Bryant. The former Illinois receiver was the Broncos’ third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and opinions were split on him. However, head coach Sean Payton and the Broncos brass are enamoured with Bryant.

“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.” Legwold wrote. “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.”

The comparisons to Michael Thomas, a former Sean Payton receiver during his time in New Orleans, are apt. Thomas ran a 4.57 40-yard dash at the 2016 NFL Combine, but went on to have a successful career in the NFL thanks to his ability to create separation at the line of scrimmage. He also consistently demonstrated physicality at the catch-point, something Bryant showcased in college, catching 23-of-42 contested targets, per PFF.

The fact that Bryant is showing off his talents this early is a positive sign for an offense heading in the right direction, and later in the article, Legwold went on to explain what he saw from Bryant in OTAs.

“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. “Bryant’s catch over first-round pick Jahdae Barron in minicamp was one of the best receptions in the three-day affair. 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, but Bryant is in the mix if he builds on his offseason work.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: