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The Denver Broncos made a lot of additions to both sides of the ball during the 2025 NFL Draft. In the third round at pick 74 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Broncos selected Pat Bryant, a wide receiver from Illinois.
During the Broncos' post-draft press conference after day two of the draft, head coach Sean Payton made a comparison to one of his former players, who won multiple All-Pros and won an Offensive Player of the Year award, in former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas.
"We try to find comps, and he [Bryant]... there were so many things about him, his game, that reminded me of [Michael] Thomas."
The comparison to Thomas is a bold one for Payton to make, as Thomas was named to multiple Pro Bowls, All-Pro's, and even set the NFL record for receptions in a season with 149 in 2019.
While Bryant would have a long way to go to reach the heights that Thomas reached, Payton acknowledged that his comparison was pointing more towards Bryants traits being comparable to Thomas.
"And with respect to Mike who became, I mean holy cow, you don't ever want to put pressure on a rookie like that. We're just talking about traits. Really explosive off the line of scrimmage, very competitive, very tough... His size, and his hands are outstanding."
Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) gains yards after catch as linebacker Dariel Djabome (28) pursues during the second half at SHI Stadium.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Comparing the two in their play might be overzealous, but the size comparison is spot on. Bryant is six-foot-two, 204 pounds. Meanwhile, Thomas in his playing days was six-foot-two, 212 pounds.
Payton also found that their line-of-scrimmage explosiveness and their catching abilities are also similar. With their similar traits, Bryant being coached by Thomas' coach is a great outcome for the rookie out of Illinois.
Bryant has a very strong 2024 season at Illinois, where he put up 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. Joining a wide receiver room with Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims, Bryant has a long ways to go to reach Thomas' production in New Orleans.
Payton's comparison is a lofty one for Bryant to reach, but the new Broncos receiver has a coach who can utilize him as good as anyone could in the NFL. It's a fitting landing spot for Bryant, being coached by the same coach that Thomas had his entire career.
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During the Broncos' post-draft press conference after day two of the draft, head coach Sean Payton made a comparison to one of his former players, who won multiple All-Pros and won an Offensive Player of the Year award, in former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas.
"We try to find comps, and he [Bryant]... there were so many things about him, his game, that reminded me of [Michael] Thomas."
The comparison to Thomas is a bold one for Payton to make, as Thomas was named to multiple Pro Bowls, All-Pro's, and even set the NFL record for receptions in a season with 149 in 2019.
While Bryant would have a long way to go to reach the heights that Thomas reached, Payton acknowledged that his comparison was pointing more towards Bryants traits being comparable to Thomas.
"And with respect to Mike who became, I mean holy cow, you don't ever want to put pressure on a rookie like that. We're just talking about traits. Really explosive off the line of scrimmage, very competitive, very tough... His size, and his hands are outstanding."
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Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) gains yards after catch as linebacker Dariel Djabome (28) pursues during the second half at SHI Stadium.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Comparing the two in their play might be overzealous, but the size comparison is spot on. Bryant is six-foot-two, 204 pounds. Meanwhile, Thomas in his playing days was six-foot-two, 212 pounds.
Payton also found that their line-of-scrimmage explosiveness and their catching abilities are also similar. With their similar traits, Bryant being coached by Thomas' coach is a great outcome for the rookie out of Illinois.
Bryant has a very strong 2024 season at Illinois, where he put up 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. Joining a wide receiver room with Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims, Bryant has a long ways to go to reach Thomas' production in New Orleans.
Payton's comparison is a lofty one for Bryant to reach, but the new Broncos receiver has a coach who can utilize him as good as anyone could in the NFL. It's a fitting landing spot for Bryant, being coached by the same coach that Thomas had his entire career.
Related: Broncos' Sean Payton Sends Message Amid Shedeur Sanders Draft Slide
Related: Former Broncos All-Pro Cornerback Has Five-Word Message on Barron Pick
Related: Former Broncos All-Pro Cornerback Has Five-Word Message on Barron Pick
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