The Denver Broncos made a major offensive upgrade this offseason by acquiring star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. This move gives them a formidable five-man rotation featuring Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, and Pat Bryant. While the group is talented, it also presents some long-term questions. Sutton, while still effective, is aging and carries a significant future cap hit, and Mims is entering the final year of his rookie deal. This creates a potential need for a future "X" receiver, a role the Broncos could look to fill in the 2026 NFL Draft.

While using a second-round pick on a receiver seems unlikely, one prospect who should be high on Denver's board is North Dakota State's Bryce Lance. Emerging as a standout during the Bison's 2024 FCS championship run, Lance posted an impressive 75 receptions for 1,053 yards and 17 touchdowns. He followed that up with another strong season, amassing over 1,000 receiving yards and showcasing his big-play ability with quarterback Cole Payton. His profile fits exactly what Head Coach Sean Payton looks for in a receiver, possessing the size and explosive athleticism to develop into a true outside threat at the professional level.

Let's break down what makes Lance such an intriguing prospect. Standing at 6'3" and 204 pounds, he has the ideal frame for an NFL "X" receiver. His athletic testing is nothing short of elite, highlighted by a blistering 4.34-second 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical leap. These metrics translate to game-breaking speed and elite jump-ball ability. Over his collegiate career, he was consistently productive, totaling 127 receptions for 2,157 yards and 25 touchdowns across 57 games.

His combination of size, elite speed, and proven production makes him a perfect dark-horse candidate for the Broncos on Day 2 of the draft. He has the physical tools to eventually step into a starting role and become a cornerstone of Denver's passing attack for years to come.