Weapon the NFL Forgot to Draft Is Turning Heads at Broncos Minicamp: Pat Bryant Is Already Looking Like a Steal
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Published: June 12, 2025
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — At Denver Broncos minicamp, a 6-foot-3 blur in orange and navy keeps popping up in places defenders wish he wouldn’t. Coaches are taking notes. Quarterbacks are building trust. Fans are starting to Google. His name?
Pat Bryant.
Yes, that Pat Bryant — the same wide receiver from Illinois who somehow went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft despite a solid college career, crisp route-running, and a reputation for being a “gamer” when the lights were on. Now, just a few weeks into his first NFL offseason, Bryant is quickly becoming the talk of Broncos minicamp.
And if early signs are to be believed, he might just be the latest installment in the league’s growing list of undrafted gems.
Overlooked and Undervalued
“It still stings a little,” Bryant admitted Tuesday, after snagging a sideline toe-tap catch that drew whistles and whoops from the sidelines. “I watched all seven rounds and didn’t hear my name. But I also knew, whoever picked me up was gonna get the best version of me.”
The Broncos seem to agree.
“We’ve seen a lot of young receivers come through here, but Pat’s polish — his ability to adjust to coverages, the nuance in his breaks — that’s not typical of an undrafted guy,” said new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. “He runs routes like a third-year vet.”
Bryant’s road to Denver wasn’t flashy. At Illinois, he compiled respectable numbers — 47 catches for 712 yards and 6 touchdowns in his senior season — but wasn’t considered elite in any one category. Scouts questioned his top-end speed (he ran a 4.54 40-yard dash at his Pro Day) and inconsistent separation against press coverage. But what tape doesn’t always show is football IQ, competitive drive, and how a player fits within a specific system.
A Fit in Moore’s Offense
That system — Kellen Moore’s fast-paced, spacing-oriented scheme — has proven fertile ground for smart receivers who can exploit zones and find creases. Bryant, with his smooth footwork and deceptive acceleration, has already found a rhythm with quarterbacks Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham.
“He just gets open,” said Nix. “I don’t even think twice sometimes. I look up and he’s where he’s supposed to be. That kind of trust doesn’t come easy.”
What separates Bryant is his feel for the game. On Tuesday, during a red-zone drill, he noticed the safety creeping toward the boundary. He broke off his post route early, sitting down in a soft spot that turned into a 10-yard touchdown strike. That wasn’t in the playbook — it was instinct.
“You either have that sense or you don’t,” said head coach Sean Payton. “Pat’s got it. He doesn’t panic when the first read isn’t there. He finds the open space, and he’s already earned the attention of our staff.”
The Path Ahead
Of course, minicamp stars aren’t always September starters. The pads haven’t come on. The hits are still months away. And Bryant will have to leapfrog some experienced veterans — including Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Josh Reynolds — if he wants regular-season snaps.
But if early signs are any indication, the coaches aren’t looking at Bryant as camp filler.
“He’s in the mix. We’re not treating him like a project,” Payton added. “He’s gonna push people. I like that.”
When asked about that depth chart, Bryant smiled.
“I’m not here to count reps. I’m here to earn them.”
A Chip on His Shoulder
If you ask teammates, the chip on Bryant’s shoulder might be his greatest asset.
“Pat’s been on a mission since he got here,” said veteran WR Tim Patrick. “He’s the first guy in the building some days. Stays after to work with the QBs. It’s hard not to root for a dude like that.”
It’s also hard not to wonder how so many teams overlooked him.
“Honestly? I think it was just bad timing,” said an anonymous AFC scout who had Bryant rated as a fifth-round talent. “The WR class was deep this year, and he didn’t have crazy Combine numbers. But in hindsight? He should’ve been drafted.”
That hindsight could be Denver’s gain.
The Underdog Legacy
If Bryant does make the 53-man roster — and if his minicamp performance carries into training camp — he’ll join a storied list of undrafted receivers who made their mark: Wes Welker, Adam Thielen, Doug Baldwin, Victor Cruz. All began their careers on the fringe. All became integral parts of NFL offenses.
“I grew up watching guys like that,” Bryant said. “They showed that it’s not where you start. It’s what you do when you get the shot.”
And so far, Bryant is doing everything right. Whether it’s hauling in high-point catches in red-zone drills, setting clean pick routes without drawing flags, or diving for tipped balls in 7-on-7s, he’s making it hard for coaches to ignore him.
More Than Just a Camp Darling?
Cautious optimism is the Broncos’ current tone, but internally, there’s buzz.
“He’s the kind of player who makes your depth chart better,” said a team staffer. “If he’s WR4 or WR5, we’re in a good place. He can play inside or out, he’s a willing blocker, and we’ve even started using him on special teams.”
Bryant took punt return reps this week — not because he asked, but because the coaches want him on the field any way they can.
“He’s one of those guys who just pops,” said Moore. “It doesn’t always show up in numbers, but the film doesn’t lie.”
The Story Is Just Beginning
For now, Bryant is still technically an undrafted rookie trying to make the team. But if the early returns are any sign, that label won’t stick for long.
“It’s cool that people are noticing,” he said, wrapping up a day’s worth of interviews and drills. “But I’m just getting started.”
And in a league where opportunity and preparation often collide to create stardom, Pat Bryant may be the next name everyone remembers — even if the NFL forgot to draft him.
Let me know if you’d like a shorter version, a more dramatic headline, or specific player quotes/analyses expanded!
