Broncos rookie WR Pat Bryant: ‘I’m just huge on learning’

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In the one-on-one duel of Pats early in Broncos training-camp practice Monday, it was the rookie wide receiver surnamed Bryant who got the better of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year for a touchdown.

To be certain, that drill tends to favor the receivers. But it was also a product of Bryant’s attention to detail, and his ability to absorb every lesson and apply it on the field.

One of the reasons why Surtain is such a respected leader within the Broncos’ locker room is his willingness to share every kernel of knowledge with his teammates — defensive backs and receivers alike. He leads by example — and also by wisdom.

And in Bryant, he’s found yet another eager pupil.

“He always tells — especially us young bucks — like, he tells us what indicators he picks up on from us and other receivers,” Bryant said after practice Monday.

“One thing he always tells us — especially us big receivers — try to keep your shoulder pads low, because that’s the first indicator to the DBs when you’re about to break or you’re about to make a move.”

Bryant doesn’t stop with Surtain; he reaches out to any defensive back he can find for feedback.

“I do that with any of the DBs, especially second-year guys, whatever it is, like, I always ask them, ‘What made you break on that route fast? How could I block you better?'” Bryant said. “Whatever it is, man, I’m always all ears and, looking to get better.”

The progress is palpable. Monday, he had a touchdown catch from Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham on a play that saw him take advantage of a coverage bust to break wide open downfield. But the story of Broncos training camp for Bryant has been about him stacking good days.

It hasn’t been perfect; there’s a drop here, an offsides infraction there, as he had late last week when NFL officials were in town, part of a spate of pre-snap infractions that gripped the offense.

But one can expect Bryant to figure things out, given the kind of student he is: eager, bright, inquisitive.

“I’m just huge on learning, man,” he said. “I’m always a student of the game, and whatever I can do to help me become better, I’m going to take full advantage of it.”

PLAY OF THE DAY

It was a play befitting the day for the Broncos offense — not the most elegant, but effective. No. 3 quarterback Sam Ehlinger escaped pressure and rolled to the left, spotting rookie receiver Courtney Jackson open in the back left corner of the end zone. Ehlinger uncorked a moon ball and Jackson waited for it as Keidron Smith closed in, with the ball coming down just in time for the Arkansas State product to complete the catch.

ATTENDANCE REPORT

Edge rusher Que Robinson was held out of practice once again. … Inside linebackers Dre Greenlaw and Drew Sanders did not practice … Inside linebacker Alex Singleton (thumb) took part in individual drills.

BRONCOS CAMP NOTES

• Quarterback Bo Nix ended the seven-on-seven period with an interception down the left side on a pass intended for Courtland Sutton, but settled in as the day progressed. An interception in the team period came on a play where there was an apparent pre-snap infraction, but by the end of practice he and the offense overcame an apparent miscommunication on first-and-10 to drive into defensive territory for a field goal. During that possession Nix hit Sutton twice — once to move the chains — and Troy Franklin once to set up a 45-yard Wil Lutz field goal.
• Stidham also led the Broncos’ No. 2 offense into field-goal range, moving the chains with passes to Bryant and Kyrese Rowan and a 13-yard scramble. The connection to Rowan saw the undrafted rookie reach low to grab the ball just centimeters above the grass, which was another notable catch for the Utah State product.
• Fellow undrafted rookie Jerjuan Newton also got in on the action; during the seven-on-seven period he broke free across the middle for a 25-yard catch from Ehlinger.
• Tight end Lucas Krull caught multiple passes, including one from Nix and a 19-yarder down the seam from Ehlinger that saw him make a twisting grab and a good adjustment on the ball.
• During one of the Broncos’ special-teams periods, Lutz drilled a 62-yarder that looked like it had enough distance to be good from 70 yards.
• Moss seems to be everywhere, both against the pass and providing run support, showing the value of the weight he added during the offseason.
• Rookie Jahdae Barron has stacked some solid days recently, highlighting his Monday by winning a one-on-one rep against Sutton, sticking with him step for step and preventing him from getting separation.
• Rookie wide receiver Joaquin Davis jumped over Riley Moss for a grab during the one-on-one period, using his length to leap and pluck the ball for a reception.

WHAT’S NEXT

One final practice at Broncos Park Powered By CommonSpirit before leaving for the San Francisco Bay Area. The session begins at 10 a.m. MDT.

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