Draft Analysis: Pat Bryant

April 22, 2025 /
  • Height: 6’2″
  • Weight: 204 lbs.
  • College: Illinois
  • Tape watched: Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers
  • NFL Comparison: Xavier Hutchinson

Pros

  • Blocking

One of the most dedicated and highest graded run blockers per PFF, Pat Bryant will give teams an extra edge at receiver. He lives by the “No block, no rock” receiver code. With good upper body strength and wide base, Bryant gets it done for his running backs.

  • Hands

After struggling with drops in 2022 and 2023, Bryant improved to one drop in 2024. He is a true snatcher of the ball and has a large catch radius with his size. He has great awareness on the sideline and over both shoulders. Bryant owns a very respectable and consistent 54.6% contested catch rate in his four collegiate seasons.

Midline

  • Route Running

While he can be a little clunky and heavy in his route breaks, Bryant makes up for it with his physicality. Bryant hammers defenders through his routes. He is elite at leaning on corners and popping off to create separations. He bullies corners to his back hip effectively, stacking and creating throwing windows for his quarterback. Bryant drew several holding calls in college from his aggression at the top of routes, leaving defenders trying to hang on to whatever they can. Bryant is best when he can generate momentum downfield.

  • YAC

Forcing 24 missed tackles over the last two seasons is not insignificant for Bryant. He is a tough tackle and finishes every run. He runs hard enough to slip arm tackles and has a nice spin move to pair.

  • Release

Bryant is more of a one-trick pony with his release packages. If he can’t close space and beat defenders up in a phonebooth, he struggles to create space. Defenders quickly realize press punches are not the way to win with Bryant, instead opting to mirror his hips and keep his upper body off of them. He has a nice jab step outside of defenders’ frames, but oftentimes, his second and third steps lose ground.

Cons

  • Speed

At only 200 pounds, a 4.61s 40-yard dash is concerning. It matches his tape of not separating and being caught from behind on breakaway opportunities. Very few receivers make a living in the NFL being a contested catch guy without a secondary pitch.

  • Lateral Quickness

Players like Dez Bryant weren’t known for speed, but what they did have was a suddenness and burst to help create separation without contact. Pat Bryant lacks burst and acceleration.

Overview

Pat Bryant isn’t the most exciting prospect in the 2025 NFL draft, but he is one of the most reliable. Everything from his tape to his interviews show a player that has a team-first mentality and will do what it takes to stick around in the league.

Bryant is a true X receiver with big-slot experience, offering some level of versatility to offenses. He can continue to become a dominant redzone player and offer upside in the run blocking and screen game.