Bryce Lance, WR
School: North Dakota State University Conference: Mountain Valley Football Conference
College Experience: Redshirt Senior | Age: 23 (Week 1)
Height / Weight: 6’3” / 205 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th-5th Round
Player Comparison: Christian Watson
College Statistics
(via espn.com)
Player Overview
Bryce Lance, brother of Trey Lance, is a redshirt senior who blossomed into a premier wideout for the North Dakota State University Bison in his last two seasons. After redshirting his first season, and waiting in the wings,
Bryce broke out in 2024. In his last two seasons, he earned All-American and All-Conference honors, averaging over 1,000 receiving yards and at least 8 touchdowns. He received an NFL Scouting Combine invite where he tested as one of best wide receivers of the draft class.
If a team is searching for a vertical threat receiver in the mold of Christian Watson, here is a carbon copy. Bryce is as fast as they come and most dangerous once he gets the ball in hand. He has elite long speed, able to get separation from it alone. What completes Lance as a vertical threat is his great tracking, contested catch prowess, and body control. He is also a willing run blocker, able to effectively use his 6’3”, 200 pound frame and flash ability to get open during scramble drills.
As with Watson, the hardest part is getting Bryce the ball in other routes. He was not asked to do other routes that weren’t vertical. That leads to him telegraphing routes that involve stops or change in direction. While Lance might be one of the most explosive athletes in the receiver class, he lacks suddenness and relies on long speed acceleration. He will be an older prospect turning 24 at the beginning of the season.
Even if Bryce Lance doesn’t provide much more in the pros, he has pro-level speed and ball skills. His Combine testing alone should raise his draft stock in spite of his weaknesses. Every team could use a vertical threat and Lance has excelled at the FCS level. While he is projected to be selected on Day 3, Combine testing, coupled with a great Pro Day, interviews, and invite tryouts can push him into Round 3 conversation.
Awards
- Phil Steele FCS All-America first team (2025)
- All-MVFC first team (2024, 2025)
- Associated Press FCS All-America first team (2025)
Strengths
- Big play waiting to happen. Averaged 21 yards per reception in his final season.
- Very productive; over 2,100 receiving yards and 25 TDs in two seasons.
- Great body control.
- Good contested catcher with a large catch radius
- Reliable hands, only 5 recorded drops to 127 receptions.
- Smooth runner after the catch.
- Able to get open during scramble drills.
Weaknesses
- Poor short area explosion.
- Mainly used as a vertical threat. Limited route tree (hitch, curls, deep routes)
- Lacks sudden footwork.
- Limited playing time and production against Power 4 competition (2 catches)
- Older prospect, turns 24 years old in his rookie season.
Let’s See His Work
Interviews
Metrics
From nfl.com
How He Fits on the Commanders
Washington’s offense will look different coming into 2026, with possibly more focus on downfield playmaking. The Commanders ranked 26th in 20+ yard receptions (40), though tied for 10th in 40+ yard receptions (8) according to nfl.com. In addition, the receiving core could use another player who has both size and speed. Bryce Lance can provide Washington with a Day 3 selection who can fit the bill. While Lance may be limited in his receiver tree and is an older prospect, what he does, he does well. He has the speed to outrun secondary players and the ball skills to make downfield contested catches. Bryce is one of the Day 3 receivers who can provide the downfield pop the passing offense needs.
