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Pat Bryant is a potential bust and avoid in 2025 fantasy football rookie drafts. Read the fantasy football outlook for the new Denver Broncos wide receiver.
DRAFT PICK: 3rd Round (#74 Overall Pick)
TEAM: Denver Broncos
ROOKIE DRAFT ANALYSIS: Bryant was not seen as a top wide receiver prospect entering the 2025 NFL Draft. That didn’t stop Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos, as the team selected Bryant in the third round of the NFL Draft.
The former Fighting Illini does not profile as a strong separator. At 6’2” and 201 lbs, he does bring good size to the position, but that’s about it. Bryant projects as more of a role player than a team’s starting wide receiver. Despite the draft capital invested in him, this is his most likely outcome.
WATCH: #Illini WR Pat Bryant hears his name called, getting drafted by the Denver Broncos No. 74 overall (third round) in the 2025 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/8KL2p8egjp
— Jeremy Werner (@JWerner247) April 26, 2025
Bryant has gained steam as a popular sleeper pick. This is because he unexpectedly received Day 2 draft capital and because Payton compared him to Michael Thomas in a recent interview. It’s understandable why this would get some people excited, but Bryant doesn’t profile as this type of difference-maker.
We should give some consideration to Bryant’s draft capital and Payton's comments after we saw the team reach for quarterback Bo Nix last year and seemingly hit a home run. However, this doesn’t guarantee Bryant will emerge as a fantasy star.
Admittedly, Bryant is a low-risk investment. He’s been consistently taken in the Round 3/Round 4 range of Superflex rookie drafts. However, there are better running backs (Tahj Brooks and Brashard Smith, to name a few) who are worth picking over Bryant, as well as other receivers (Tory Horton) to consider.
Pass on Bryant in your rookie draft, and let someone else think they’re getting a steal. He was never an elite producer in college, and there are better flyers available late in drafts.
- Dave Ventresca
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