We are nearing the end of July, which means that preseason games are coming down the pipeline in the NFL.
This season, we are going to see some great quarterbacks slinging the ball around. One name that emerged last season was Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. Not many thought this kid was going to look as advanced as he played as a rookie, but the 25-year-old who threw for 29 touchdowns and 3,775 yards now has another weapon in tow.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Broncos went and got Nix some help. With their pick No. 10 in the third round, Denver chose Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant.
Bryant was great for the Illini, catching 54 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He helped lead the Orange and Blue to its first 10-win campaign since 2001, too. But with such a good year out of Nix in 2024, where was Bryant going to fit on the depth chart entering his rookie season?
Year one, and in the near future, is going to be a constant proving ground for Bryant. He seems to be already hitting the ground running, though.
In a social media post by Denver Broncos beat reporter Zac Stevens, he mentions how good Bryant has looked thus far.
“Pat Bryant continues to prove he’s legit. Gets open. Catches the ball. Smart. He’s going to play a lot this year.”
Pat Bryant continues to prove he’s legit. Gets open. Catches the ball. Smart.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) July 25, 2025
He’s going to play a lot this year.
From the sound of things, Bryant might end up having a primary backup role at the wide receiver spot locked up. On the ESPN depth chart for the Broncos, he is second string behind Marvin Mims Jr.
Upward movement on the Denver Broncos depth chart for Pat Bryant wouldn’t be shocking
When I see beat reporters raving about Bryant, and then I look at what Denver had catching passes and what they will have in 2025 out wide, I think to myself that Bryant could easily move up the depth chart.
Mims, Courtland Sutton, and Devaughn Vele aren't exactly household names. They don’t jump off the page, and their Pro Football Focus grades strengthen that notion.
Sutton was by far the highest-rated Broncos’ wide receiver last season, and he ranked No. 32 among all NFL wide receivers with a grade of 75.5. The rest of the Denver pass-catchers ranked sub-55 among their peers.
And even with Sutton being the clear No. 1 on the Broncos, he wasn’t a sure thing either. Among NFL wide receivers who had at least 50 targets last season, Sutton had the 12th-worst drop percentage of catchable passes at 11.0%.
You are getting sure hands with Bryant. With the Illini last season, Bryant dropped just one single catchable ball. He had a drop percentage of 1.8%.
While I am not saying that Bryant is going to have a starting job to open the season, don’t be surprised if he pushes for one a quarter of the way in. When you have a gem like that on the bench, you eventually have to dust it off and admire the value.