2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Illinois WR Pat Bryant

From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Illinois WR Pat Bryant.

#13 Pat Bryant/WR Illinois – 6021, 208 pounds (Senior)

Measurements

THE GOOD

– Checks height/weight boxes, looks the part
– Tough after the catch and grinds out extra yards, size/strength makes him hard to bring down and able to push forward in piles post-catch
– Good strength and able to break tackles
– Can stem and stack vertically, long-strider with build-up speed
– Showcases body control and tracking
– Hands catcher who grabs away from frame
– Can impose will as run blocker when playing with good effort/tenacity
– Clutch player who made timely plays
– Productive with impressive Catch: TD ratio despite rocky QB play
– Shows some positional/formational flexibility
– Captain and leader with seemingly strong character

The Bad

– Below-average athlete overall and smaller hands relative to frame
– Lacks suddenness and burst on underneath routes, creating too many contested situations
– Struggles to consistently create separation against tight/press coverage
– Not elite downfield and will lose out on jump balls
– Often slow off the line with elongated releases against press
– Tendency to leave feet on catch, limiting YAC
– Linear player without much change of direction
– Gears down to make catches over the middle
– Inconsistent run blocking effectiveness and tends to lean on defenders in the box, needs to do a better job cracking safeties coming downhill
– NFL route tree looks limited to vertical/downfield throws

Bio

– Turns 23 in December 2025
– Three-year starter (35 career starts)
– Career: 137 receptions, 2,095 yards (15.