Draft Darlings: Bryce Lance is vertical receiver with upside for Chiefs

· Yahoo Sports

FRISCO, TEXAS - JANUARY 6: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison dives for a touchdown catch against the Montana State Bobcats during the Division I FCS Football Championship held at Toyota Stadium on January 6, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images

There are many names to know for the 2026 NFL Draft, but the endless list of players can be narrowed down to those who have a fitting skillset for the Kansas City Chiefs.

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North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance could be on that short list. Let’s take a closer look at the Lance:

Background

Lance is the brother of quarterback Trey Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick for the San Francisco 49ers. Like his brother, Bryce played at North Dakota State, but as a wide receiver.

Lance’s first three years were developmental. He redshirted as a freshman in 2021 and didn’t play in 2022 or 2023. North Dakota State is a developmental program that rarely plays freshmen or sophomores. The players get multiple years of development before playing, and the program has been one of the best in the FCS for years because of this model.

Lance had to wait his turn, and it paid off. Lance has put up over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. In 2025, he increased his yards per catch from 14 to 21.2 due to a switch in his route tree to more downfield routes. During the 2024 season, Lance had a ridiculous 17 receiving touchdowns. Last season, Lance only finished with eight, but his overall statistical production over two seasons was impressive.

Lance’s draft stock rose at the NFL Scouting Combine. He came in at a good size for an outside receiver at 6 feet 3 inches tall and 204 pounds. Lance ran an outstanding 4.34 40-yard dash and showed his explosiveness with a 41 1/2-inch vertical jump and 11 feet 1 inch broad jump result.

Lance’s Strengths

North Dakota State’s offense was built on its run game and downfield play-action concepts, and Lance thrived in that role. Lance is best at running a vertical route tree downfield. He’s a smooth vertical route runner. He can easily get past cornerbacks with his speed and strides.

Lance isn’t the strongest receiver, but he can catch in contested situations. His coordination tracking the ball in the air is good. His leaping ability is outstanding as well. Lance also has strong hands to make these catches away from his frame. He won’t outmuscle cornerbacks often, but he can still win with his athleticism.

Lance’s route tree was somewhat limited by the scheme North Dakota State ran, but he flashes more than just a vertical route tree. He can separate over the middle by cleanly breaking on his routes and using his speed to run away from trailing defenders. Lance has long legs, but he can sink and create separation at a high level. He can change his pace as a route runner. His deceleration is impressive for a guy of his size.

Where Lance needs to improve

There are two things Lance will want to improve at the NFL level. First, I would like to see Lance add some muscle. Going from FCS cornerbacks to NFL cornerbacks is a big transition, and Lance will need some more size to deal with that. 

Second, Lance will need to expand the route tree. This isn’t all his fault. North Dakota State isn’t a passing program. They’re built around their run game and use the passing game to stretch the defense. 

Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver Christian Watson also went to North Dakota State and had a similar profile to Lance. Watson was mainly a vertical receiver who needed time to improve his route running. It took a few years, but Watson showed improvement last season in that department.

For Lance to hit his ceiling, he would need to follow a similar development path. The main routes I want to see more of from Lance are over the intermediate part of the field, particularly over the middle. I think he has the potential to be good with generating yards after catch, and those will come on crossers or dig routes that allow him to turn upfield.

In the rare reps where Lance would run these routes, it looked good. He’s a fluid route runner who can change his pace and win at the top of routes. But he’s going to need to do it more against better cornerbacks, and that could take time.

Why Lance fits with the Chiefs

I think the Chiefs would be a great context for Lance to develop. Early in his career, Lance’s role would look similar to Tyquan Thornton’s. Like Lance, Thornton is a vertical receiver who wins with his long strides downfield. Lance is better at the catch point than Thornton, but they would run similar routes.

Having Thornton would allow you to slowly develop Lance and not rely on him in 2026. He could get more comfortable running an expanded route tree and add some strength to his frame. As Lance improves, he could slowly step into Thornton’s role, and then Kansas City could build off of that. 

The Bottom Line

The Chiefs have struggled to throw the ball downfield for several years. The offense hasn’t had receivers who could create separation and win at the catch point. They need to add players to the offense that can create fear in defenses, and Lance could be one of those players.

Lance will need some development, but I feel good about the chances that he gets better. As long as he provides verticality for an offense, teams can find a way to play him. Teams are always looking for downfield receivers, and Lance is one of those. He can provide value to a team just by doing that, and over time, you hope the other things come along.

I hope Kansas City addresses wide receiver before the projected draft range for Lance, but if Lance were on the board at pick No. 74, I would be happy taking him.

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