The Denver Broncos spent most of their offseason keeping things steady, re-signing their own free agents and filling out the roster with depth pieces. The headliner was the trade for Jaylen Waddle, a move that should put him front and center in 2026. Courtland Sutton is also in line for a big year.
But ESPN’s Dan Graziano sees another Broncos wideout making a real push next season: second-year receiver Pat Bryant.
"We have heard a lot of exciting things out of Broncos camp about second-year receiver Pat Bryant, Denver's third-round pick in 2025," Graziano writes. "... But the universal and specific praise about how Bryant has advanced ahead of Year 2 makes me wonder if he might force his way into a bigger role than expected."
That’s a notable call, especially with Waddle and Sutton projected to lead the receiving group. Behind them, Bryant, Troy Franklin, and Marvin Mims fill out the depth chart. Even if Bryant is listed as the third wide receiver, Graziano’s point is that the camp buzz has been loud enough to suggest more than a routine role.
Bryant’s rookie season gave Denver something to work with. He finished with 31 catches on 49 targets for 378 yards and one touchdown. Not a splashy debut, but not a dead-end season either.
He also got four targets in the playoffs and caught all four for 34 yards. That wasn’t a headline-grabbing showing, but it did give him a little more runway in a small sample.
That’s where the intrigue comes in. There’s clearly room for Bryant to take another step, and the reports out of camp are strong enough to make Graziano’s prediction feel plausible. He’s not likely to leapfrog Waddle or Sutton, but a meaningful role as the No. 3 receiver is very much on the table.
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JK Dobbins Has A Chance To Justify Denver's Bet In Week 1
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Week 1 also brings a direct comparison with a marquee opponent, since the Chiefs are planning to lean on Kenneth Walker after making a major commitment to reshape their rushing attack. Walker arrives with a hefty deal and the weight of expectations, while Dobbins gets a chance to show Denver its bet can pay off right away in a game where both backs could say plenty about where their teams are headed. [Read more 🡒]