Former Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant is someone who consistently showed up in the biggest of games. Finishing second in the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns (10) and yards-per-catch (18.4), his statistics perfectly convey how he consistently just gets it done.
His statistical production (984 yards receiving in 12 games) is more impressive than his measurables, as his 4.61 40-yard dash was tied for the second slowest among the 39 receivers at the combine. However, it’s also worth noting that this time is still better than what Jerry Rice, Cooper Kupp, Cris Carter or Larry Fitzgerald ran during their 40s.
Carter makes for an interesting analogy, because he is synonymous with the infamous phrase “all he does is catch touchdowns.” The phrase was coined by former Philadelphia Eagles coach Buddy Ryan when he explained his decision to cut Carter in 1989. Meant as a pejorative, the phrase was used as cover for the off-the-field issues Carter had/the real reason he was let go.
Carter then used it as a wake up call to get it together, personally, and he would then go on to earn a bust in Canton. Carter had Ryan in attendance at his Hall of Fame ceremony, as a show of gratitude. Bryant can certainly catch touchdowns, as he tied former long-time NFL veteran Brandon Lloyd for the Illinois single season record. Lloyd, who caught close to 400 passes for six different NFL teams, flew in from Denver to take in Illinois’ blowout of Northwestern at Wrigley Field in the regular season finale.
Bryant spoke of Lloyd being on hand to see him tie his record, telling The Sports Bank it was “just a baller recognizing a baller.” After the game, Bryant told the media that he was definitely going to play in the Illini bowl game, but later changed his mind, to instead focus on the pre-draft process. So while Bryant was not a part of Illinois’ 21-17 upset win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl, he did make it to the Senior Bowl, where he impressed, in both practices and the game.
Scouts and draftniks are very much impressed by how good his hands are, as well as his versatility and physicality. The ability to play every receiver position, win 50/50 balls and overall physical nature of his game are Bryant’s greatest strengths. Perhaps that will be enough to overcome his perceived lack of top end speed.
Pat Bryant grades out as a day three guy, with most NFL mock drafts seeing him as about a fourth round prospect. However, those less bullish on Bryant see him as a round five or six guy. If he does get passed over entirely on the first two days of the draft, perhaps that will serve as motivation for him.
Which brings us back to Cris Carter- that one major slight was his fuel to his fire. Perhaps a similar situation develops here.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Pat Bryant NFL Draft scouting report and player profile
Former Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant is someone who consistently showed up in the biggest of games. Finishing second in the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns (10) and yards-per-catch (18.4), his statistics perfectly convey how he consistently just gets it done.
His statistical production (984 yards receiving in 12 games) is more impressive than his measurables, as his 4.61 40-yard dash was tied for the second slowest among the 39 receivers at the combine. However, it’s also worth noting that this time is still better than what Jerry Rice, Cooper Kupp, Cris Carter or Larry Fitzgerald ran during their 40s.
Carter makes for an interesting analogy, because he is synonymous with the infamous phrase “all he does is catch touchdowns.” The phrase was coined by former Philadelphia Eagles coach Buddy Ryan when he explained his decision to cut Carter in 1989. Meant as a pejorative, the phrase was used as cover for the off-the-field issues Carter had/the real reason he was let go.
Carter then used it as a wake up call to get it together, personally, and he would then go on to earn a bust in Canton. Carter had Ryan in attendance at his Hall of Fame ceremony, as a show of gratitude. Bryant can certainly catch touchdowns, as he tied former long-time NFL veteran Brandon Lloyd for the Illinois single season record. Lloyd, who caught close to 400 passes for six different NFL teams, flew in from Denver to take in Illinois’ blowout of Northwestern at Wrigley Field in the regular season finale.
Bryant spoke of Lloyd being on hand to see him tie his record, telling The Sports Bank it was “just a baller recognizing a baller.” After the game, Bryant told the media that he was definitely going to play in the Illini bowl game, but later changed his mind, to instead focus on the pre-draft process. So while Bryant was not a part of Illinois’ 21-17 upset win over South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl, he did make it to the Senior Bowl, where he impressed, in both practices and the game.
Scouts and draftniks are very much impressed by how good his hands are, as well as his versatility and physicality. The ability to play every receiver position, win 50/50 balls and overall physical nature of his game are Bryant’s greatest strengths. Perhaps that will be enough to overcome his perceived lack of top end speed.
Pat Bryant grades out as a day three guy, with most NFL mock drafts seeing him as about a fourth round prospect. However, those less bullish on Bryant see him as a round five or six guy. If he does get passed over entirely on the first two days of the draft, perhaps that will serve as motivation for him.
Which brings us back to Cris Carter- that one major slight was his fuel to his fire. Perhaps a similar situation develops here.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Pat Bryant NFL Draft scouting report and player profile
