The Denver Broncos’ young receivers had a fascinating season. No one quite knew what to expect from them, but there was plenty of potential, provided quarterback Bo Nix could get them the ball.
Nix did that and then some, and receiver Pat Bryant was one of those who benefitted in a way that was somehow subtle but noticeable. Now he’s been labeled a potential breakout player of the year for 2026 by Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus, which is an out-of-the-box selection that definitely deserves some scrutiny.
Start with the good stuff, which is the foundation Bryant has laid down so far in his young career. He was drafted out of Illinois in the third round, and at 6’2”204 pounds, Bryant has more size than people think.
He’s got some speed, too, but Bryant stats as a rookie were fairly pedestrian. He caught 31 passes for 378 yards and a touchdown, so there’s nothing that sticks out there, but most of the attention goes to receiver Troy Franklin, especially given Franklin’s Oregon connection as a former college teammate of Nix.
That’s part of why Bryant has been labeled a breakout candidate, because he’s the logical next guy to step up. Rookie receivers aren’t always reliable, but Bryant was. He also graded out well for a rookie in PFF’s metrics, posting a 73.0 receiving grade, which is considered solid.
The sample size is small, but there are areas for potential improvement in Bryant’s stats, too. He was 45th in the league in yards per reception at 12.2, but 21st in yards after the catch with 4.9. Nix had plenty of choices when it comes to targets, but now that Bryant has established himself as part of Denver’s receiving corps, he should get the ball more.
Bryant should also benefit from the recent coaching changes on offense. Sean Payton is looking for new ideas and approaches, but there will be some continuity with passing game coordinator Davis Webb moving up to become offensive coordinator, and Webb is also an innovator.
Ironically, it’s Payton himself who could hinder Bryant’s development the most. He’s been pretty impulsive lately, firing established coaches and revealing detailed information about Nix’s medical situation, and if he decides the Broncos need a star receiver to stretch the field, Bryant could be one of the players who will pay the stiffest price when it comes to being targeted.
Until that happens, though, it makes sense to apply this label to Bryant. The parallel here is Franklin, who went from 28 receptions as a rookie to 65 in 2025, and his touchdown production tripled, going from two to six. That kind of jump would make a big difference for Denver as Payton seeks to add more scoring punch from a group that already helped the Broncos get to the AFC Championship game.