Bryce Lance | North Dakota State | 6’3, 204 lbs |23 Years
Bryce Lance was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, becoming the 19th wide receiver and 136th overall player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
Bryce Lance did not come into college as a guy everyone was talking about right away, but once he got his chance, he made it count.
After barely seeing the field early in his career, Lance put together back-to-back strong seasons at North Dakota State. In 2024, he posted 75 catches for 1,071 yards and 17 touchdowns. Then in 2025, he followed that up with 51 catches for 1,079 yards and 8 touchdowns, while averaging a big-time 21.2 yards per catch.
That kind of production tells you he was not just catching short stuff. He was making big plays and flipping the field. His 3.58 yards per route run in 2025 backs that up and shows just how productive he was every time he was on the field.
The level of competition is going to come up in the conversation, and that’s fair, but the production is still hard to ignore. He made the most of his opportunities and showed real big-play ability.
FILM
Bryce Lance looks like an outside receiver, and he plays like one, too.
The first thing that stands out is how easily he gets down the field. He eats up cushion fast, and once he gets rolling, corners are in trouble. He has that long stride that can make defenders panic, especially when they’re forced to turn and run.
Where he really grabs your attention is at the catch point. Bryce Lance plays like the ball belongs to him. He goes up and attacks it, and with that 41.5-inch vertical, you can see why. He gives quarterbacks a big target and can win even when the coverage is tight.
He’s not just a jump-ball guy either. For a taller receiver, he moves better than people may expect. He showed enough short-area quickness to believe there’s more to his game than just running vertical routes. That matters because at the next level, he’s going to have to keep working on his release package and become more polished against press coverage.
He also plays with good effort and physicality. He’s willing to block, he uses his size well, and he doesn’t look like a guy who’s just out there running track. He looks like a football player.
The biggest question is going to be the jump in competition. Dominating at the FCS level is one thing. Doing it against NFL corners is another. But when you’ve got this kind of size, leaping ability, and movement skills, teams are going to bet on the traits.
🎥 Film Breakdown
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ATHLETIC TESTING
Bryce Lance helped himself in a big way with how he tested.
At 6’3, 204 pounds, he already has the frame you want in an outside receiver. Then you add in the 41.5-inch vertical, and now you’re talking about a guy with real above-the-rim ability.
His 32 1/8-inch arms also help give him a big catch radius, and that shows up when the ball is in the air. He can go get it.
What also stands out is the movement ability. His 4.15 shuttle was one of the best among wide receivers, which tells you he’s not just a straight-line athlete. He’s got some short-area quickness to go with the size and explosiveness. He was the number one athlete at the Combine for wide receivers, boasting a blazing 4.34-second 40-yard dash.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Great
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Great
Bryce Lance was selected 136 overall by the New Orleans Saints in the NFL Draft. For the Saints to get that kind of rare explosive power in the middle of the fourth round is an incredible bargain.
The Saints have an ascending young quarterback in Tyler Shough and a clear need for a big-bodied deep threat who can take the top off a defense. His ability to create space downfield makes him a dangerous weapon for a team that wants to stretch the field.
He is known for having incredibly reliable hands and an elite ability to win “jump ball” situations in traffic. Though he needs to polish his route-running, his pure speed and size give the Saints a high-upside playmaker who could grow into a starting role very quickly. My reaction to the landing spot is (Great).
FANTASY INSIGHTS
From a dynasty perspective, he is the type of player who can jump off your bench and win you a week because of his rare combination of size and elite speed.
What makes him exciting for your team is his ability to score. In college, he was a touchdown machine, and that usually translates well to fantasy points. He is joining a New Orleans Saints offense that needs a big target who can sprint past defenders, which is exactly what he does best.
While he might not be a starter every single week right away, he is a perfect developmental piece for your roster. Think of him as a high-speed weapon that the Saints will use to stretch the field. If he develops a good rhythm with his new quarterback, he could quickly turn into a reliable scoring threat that your opponents won’t see coming.
CONCLUSION
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