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Bryce Lance, a wide receiver from North Dakota State, had a standout season with 51 receptions for 1,070 yards and 8 touchdowns. He is projected to be a high draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially filling a need for the Denver Broncos.
FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison hugs a teammate before kickoff against the Montana State Bobcats during the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The Denver Broncos made their big splash this offseason trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to bolster their offense. The position is now five deep at the position with Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant.
The receiving corps has a lot of talent, but also a lot of questions. Sutton isnât getting any younger and has a significant cap hit in 2027. Additionally, itâs the last year of Mimsâ rookie contract. In my opinion, the Broncos donât have a long-term replacement in the mix for Sutton at the X position, which could be an area they seek to address in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Broncos utilizing their second-round selection on a wide receiver is very unlikely. However, a player I believe they will carry a relatively high grade on his North Dakota State standout Bryce Lance. Lance broke out in 2024 during the Bisonâs last FCS title with 75 receptions for 1,053 yards and 17 touchdowns catching passes from . This past year, he had 51 receptions, 1,070 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns with projected Day 2 pick Cole Payton throwing him the ball.
In the 2024 FCS season, Bryce Lance recorded 75 receptions for 1,053 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Broncos may consider drafting Bryce Lance as a long-term replacement for aging wide receiver Courtland Sutton, especially with Sutton's significant cap hit in 2027.
Bryce Lance caught passes from Cam Miller during his standout 2024 season with North Dakota State.
Bryce Lance is projected to be a Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

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He checks a lot of the boxes Head Coach Sean Payton covets at the position. Not only that, but I also believe he has the ability to be an explosive X receiver at the next level. Letâs do a deep dive regarding his strengths and weaknesses, and why and when the Broncos should consider selection him in this yearâs draft.
Height: 6â3â | Weight: 204 pounds | Arm Length: 32-1/8â | Hand Size: 9-1/4â | Age: 23 Years Old
40-Yard Dash: 4.34 seconds | 10-Yard Split: 1.49 seconds | 3-Cone Drill: 7 seconds
Vertical: 41.5â | Broad Jump: 11â1â | 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.15 seconds
Statistics: 57 games played, 26 starts, 127 receptions with 2,157 receiving yards. 25 receiving touchdowns, as well as 121 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Positives:
Negatives:
Hartâs Projection: Top 75 Selection â Late Second Round, Early Third Round Value
After a quiet start to their free agency period, the Broncos took the NFL and media waves by storm acquiring Waddle for their first and third round picks in this yearâs draft. Itâs safe to say it is no longer a primary need for the team. However, itâs certainly a position where a long-term vision may come into focus during this yearâs draft endeavors.
Do I think the Broncos will use their top selection in this yearâs draft on another wide receiver? No. Do I believe they should be interest in a player with Lanceâs skillset, upside and ability? Absolutely. Sutton has been a good wide receiver for the franchise for years. In fact, I think he is a player underappreciated by most of the fan base. Nevertheless, itâs a possibility, especially if he has a drop in production this season, that Denver could move on from him at the end of this season. His 2027 cap hit is just over $28 million dollars.
Lance has some work to do transitioning from the FCS to NFL, but his elite athleticism and playmaking ability are enticing. He is arguably this draftâs best deep ball receiver and sported over 20 yards per reception this past season. Thatâs an area where Denver struggled with during their â25, especially Troy Franklin, whose deep ball tracking and contested catch ability are subpar.
He checks a lot of boxes, and I believe is a player the Broncosâ brass will think highly of. Whether or not that results in them drafting him is an entirely different matter. They certainly have bigger needs, though I think the Bison standout is a great fit for Denverâs offense and boasts the potential to be Suttonâs heir at the X position.
I have Lance ranked as a Top 75 player with a late-second round, early third-round grade. The Broncos are scheduled to pick at 62 overall, which may be a bit too early for him. Perhaps in a trade down scenario, the odds could pick up a bit. Overall, I love the fit, but it seems unlikely the FCS superstar ends up sporting a Broncosâ cap on draft day.