The Denver Broncos' offense is settled at the top of the receiving corps with Courtland Sutton firmly established as the primary target. Behind him, however, the picture is less certain, and a young player is making a strong case to shape that depth chart spot--Pat Bryant.
Bryant has stood out during the Broncos' voluntary offseason activities (OTAs), making a mark that goes beyond typical spring training flashes. While undrafted free agents and late-round picks often show promise in shorts and helmets only to fade when the pads come on, Bryant's progress is notable because it concerns a significant role: the WR3 spot behind Sutton and Troy Franklin.
Last season, Sutton posted 1,017 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, cementing his status as the team's go-to receiver. Troy Franklin, a 2024 fourth-round pick, recorded 709 yards with six scores as a rookie, positioning himself as the presumptive second option. The third receiver role, however, remains up for grabs.
Currently, three players compete for this role: Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Marvin Mims. Mims, a 2023 second-round selection, has primarily contributed as a return specialist with 37 receptions for 322 yards last season, while Bryant, a 2025 fifth-round pick, is pushing into the conversation this spring with his consistent performance at OTAs.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton provided some insight on June 2, remarking on draft strategy and player development with a line that fits Bryant's situation: "You always have vision forward or backwards. You're mindful of picks, it's ammunition." The Broncos' investment in Bryant with a fifth-round selection was a strategic bet on his potential -- a player with size, contested-catch ability, and polished route running.
The WR3 in a Sean Payton offense is expected to be versatile. On June 5, Payton explained, "There'll be two things. A, he's got position flex inside out and then there'll be packages." While he did not specify Bryant, the description aligns with what the Broncos need from this receiver spot: shifting between slot, boundary, and even backfield alignments, all while reading defenses to execute option routes.
Bryant meets these demands physically and skill-wise. At Illinois, he proved to be a reliable jump-ball receiver capable of high-pointing passes over smaller defensive backs. That ability is especially valuable in the red zone, an area where the Broncos' passing attack last year was effective but lacked explosiveness. With Sutton as the primary red-zone target and other receivers serving role players, Bryant's 6-foot-3 frame offers a new weapon on slants and fades that can alter the field's geometry inside the 20.
Troy Franklin contrasts as a speed-focused threat, averaging 10.9 yards per reception as a rookie, stretching defenses vertically. However, Franklin is less physical at the catch point and struggles in contested situations. Marvin Mims brings quickness and is a special-teams asset capable of game-changing returns, but has yet to prove he can be a steady, full-time receiving option.
Bryant bridges the gap -- not as fast as Franklin nor as quick as Mims, but bigger and stronger than both. He offers the Broncos a reliable, physical presence in traffic, critical for the WR3 role that demands toughness and technical precision.
June practices do not finalize starting roles for September, and coach Payton acknowledged this evaluation period remains open: "This is the time of the year to do that... you'll get a chance to see and probably have a better evaluation of each player." No roster moves are imminent, but Bryant's inclusion in the discussion signals his rising profile.
Last season, Franklin was the presumed WR3 after his impressive rookie campaign. Now, his position is challenged by Bryant, whose 31 career receptions for 378 yards and one touchdown hint at a developing contributor. Franklin's consistency has been an issue; his performances ranged wildly, with two 100-yard games but five outings with fewer than 30 yards.
Marvin Mims remains a potent special teams ace with occasional impact as a receiver, but with only five receptions on 11 targets inside the 20 last season, he is more a gadget player than a foundational piece at this spot.
Bryant is carving out a niche by focusing on fit, not explosiveness. He aims to be the intermediate route runner who boxes out nickel corners and provides quarterback Bo Nix with a dependable third-and-medium target. That role aligns closely with Sean Payton's offensive philosophy and remains open, given that neither Franklin nor Mims has fully secured it.
Coach Payton's June 5 comments on depth at the receiver position--"there's depth at that room. There's things that guys do very well... he's been a great addition"--could well be referencing Bryant, fitting the timeline of his strong spring showing. While Payton is measured and not naming starters outright, the buzz suggests the coaching staff is taking note.
As it stands, the competition features Franklin as the statistical incumbent, Mims as a special-teams weapon, and Bryant as the receiver physically and technically best suited for the WR3 role in this offense.
Cap space remains ample at roughly $29.79 million, according to Over the Cap, leaving room for potential veteran additions. Yet the Broncos have opted not to make further wide receiver moves, signaling confidence in existing talent.
Bryant's spring momentum suggests the Broncos may have their WR3 in-house already.
Verdict: The WR3 role in Denver currently belongs to Troy Franklin by default, but Pat Bryant is primed to claim it if Franklin does not show marked improvement. Bryant's fit for Sean Payton's system and his physical advantages could make him the most valuable third receiver on the roster. By preseason, expect Bryant to feature prominently in three-receiver sets alongside Sutton and Franklin--not merely as a hopeful but as a practical choice confirmed by the coaches' evaluations.
This summer, the Broncos' receiving corps story won't focus on marquee names settled atop the depth chart but rather on a determined fifth-round pick who refuses to wait his turn.
