The New Orleans Saints selected North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance with the 136th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lance’s world-class athleticism and frame make him an elite downfield threat for Tyler Shough. While he may not be a day-one starter, he will have a major impact on the Saints’ offense.
The six-foot-three, 209-pound receiver was highly productive in college, tallying 51 receptions for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns. While he was facing lower-level competition, his blazing speed (4.34 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine) and elite catch radius will translate to the NFL.
He will likely enter his career fourth or fifth on the depth chart, trailing Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, DeVaughn Vele, and possibly Ja’Lynn Polk, but will still immediately carve out a role. Expect Lance to see targets early in his rookie season.
Bryce Lance will be a valuable deep threat for Tyler Shough
Lance’s average reception was 21.2 yards downfield is among the highest in the NFL and showcases his impact. He won’t reach 100 receptions in his career, but he maximizes each opportunity. He’s a constant big-play threat that Tyler Shough can target downfield. His superb catch radius and hands make him a reliable option that second-year player can throw a 50/50 ball to.
Having someone who threatens defenders deep is key to an offense's success. This forces the safety overtop to provide aid, thus eliminating another defender from the intermediate range. Lance's field stretching creates ample spacing for other receivers and makes Shough's job significantly easier.
Lance still needs to develop his route-running as he’s not the quickest player and tends to round his routes. This made him struggle to create consistent separation from defenders on short/intermediate plays. As a result, he was forced to either head downfield or be given manufactured touches in college. Luckily for him, wide receiver coach Keith Williams can work with him and help him develop into a star.
Overall, Bryce Lance won’t be the primary wide receiver in the Saints’ offense, but his blazing speed and catch radius make him a valuable deep-threat for Tyler Shough. Expect Lance to seamlessly fit into their offense and establish himself as a key contributor.
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