Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, NFL Mocks ranked North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance as the top small-school prospect in the class. Just a few months into his NFL career, he is already showing why with the New Orleans Saints.
Over the past two seasons, Lance established himself as one of the most dominant wide receivers in the FCS, combining elite production with rare athletic traits that made him one of the draft's most intriguing developmental prospects.
Lance's dominate college career
Lance put together one of the most productive careers in school history. In 2024, he set an FCS record with 17 touchdown receptions while finishing second in North Dakota State history with 75 receptions and third with 1,071 receiving yards. He followed that up with another outstanding season, leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference with 83.0 receiving yards per game while averaging a career-best 21.2 yards per reception. Every time he touched the football, he was a legitimate big-play threat.
As impressive as his production was, his physical tools are even more intriguing. At 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, Lance ran a blazing 4.34-second 40-yard dash and posted a 41.5-inch vertical jump. He combines rare size and speed with strong hands, outstanding ball skills, and the ability to make difficult contested catches. He is also dangerous after the catch, producing more than 300 yards after the catch in each of the past two seasons. According to PFF, he dropped just 3.8% of his career targets, highlighting the reliable hands that have become one of his trademarks. Coaches have also consistently praised his work ethic, football intelligence, and character, giving him the makeup to maximize his tremendous athletic ability.
Coming to the #Saints offense: WR Bryce Lance 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LEcwqpwQ2y
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 25, 2026
Those traits have already been on display during the Saints' offseason program. With Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson limited by injuries, Lance received extensive work with both the first- and second-team offenses. He developed chemistry with both Spencer Rattler and rookie Tyler Shough, catching multiple touchdowns during OTA and minicamp practices, including a red-zone score from Rattler during the final minicamp practice and another touchdown from Shough during 7-on-7 drills.
The Saints still view Lance as a developmental player. After selecting him with the 136th overall pick, general manager Mickey Loomis said, "We're adding a developmental 6-3, [4.3] player that didn't play at a Power Four conference. He played for North Dakota State, so there's probably some development that we need to do there."
Even so, Lance has an opportunity to carve out an immediate role. His elite speed gives New Orleans a vertical threat capable of stretching defenses, and he could eventually fill the role Rashid Shaheed occupied before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks. While his offensive snaps may be limited once the Saints' receiving corps returns to full health, his impressive start has already shown he possesses the talent to become one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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