The Ravens are keeping an eye on Pat Bryant, an unstoppable Illinois fighting machine, as a great aerial help for Lamar Jackson.

As the Baltimore Ravens continue to evolve under the leadership of Lamar Jackson, one of the key areas of focus for the franchise has been strengthening its passing game. With a dynamic quarterback like Jackson, whose versatility and playmaking ability make him one of the most electrifying players in the NFL, the Ravens’ aerial attack needs a receiving corps that can complement his skill set. Enter Pat Bryant, the standout wide receiver from Illinois, whose explosive athleticism and ability to make plays in crucial moments have caught the attention of Ravens’ scouts and front-office personnel.

The idea of pairing Jackson with a receiver like Bryant brings hope for a more well-rounded offense, one that can balance the Ravens’ renowned running attack with an efficient and potent passing game. Bryant’s combination of size, speed, route-running precision, and ability to create separation from defenders makes him a prime candidate for the Ravens to pursue, especially given their current need for a reliable and explosive outside receiver. This article will dive deep into what Bryant brings to the table, why he fits perfectly into the Ravens’ system, and how his addition could be a game-changer for the team.

Pat Bryant’s Background and Rise at Illinois

Pat Bryant’s journey to becoming one of the top receiving prospects in college football has been nothing short of impressive. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Bryant began his career at Illinois as a highly regarded recruit with the potential to make an immediate impact. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing around 215 pounds, Bryant possesses the physical tools that make him a matchup nightmare for defenders. His size and athleticism allow him to create separation from corners and win contested catches in ways that few others can.

During his time at Illinois, Bryant quickly became one of the top receiving targets in the Big Ten, showcasing his elite ability to stretch the field and make plays in both the short and deep passing game. He developed strong chemistry with Illinois’ quarterbacks and was known for his ability to make crucial catches in key moments, often coming through in the clutch. In 2024, Bryant had a career-defining season, registering over 1,200 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, making him one of the most dynamic wide receivers in college football.

Bryant’s route running, particularly his ability to make sharp, precise cuts, allows him to consistently create separation from defenders. His speed allows him to blow past defenders on deep routes, while his physicality makes him difficult to tackle once he’s in the open field. This combination of speed and strength makes him an ideal candidate for a team like the Ravens, which has long been known for its emphasis on strong, physical football with a balance of power and speed.

The Ravens’ Need for a Deep Threat

As good as Lamar Jackson has been for the Ravens, one of the knocks on the team has been its lack of a true No. 1 receiver. While tight end Mark Andrews has been a primary target for Jackson, and wide receivers like Devin Duvernay and Rashod Bateman have shown flashes of brilliance, the Ravens have yet to consistently feature an elite receiving threat. This is an issue that head coach John Harbaugh and the Ravens’ front office have long sought to address, especially after seeing the success of other AFC teams with dynamic passing attacks.

The Ravens’ offense has been built around Jackson’s unique skill set, often relying on his ability to make plays with his legs and his connection with Andrews over the middle of the field. However, the team has struggled to consistently generate explosive plays through the air, which is something that could ultimately limit their championship aspirations. Adding a true playmaker like Bryant to the offense could change that, giving Jackson a deep threat who can stretch the field and open up opportunities for other players.

Bryant’s skill set makes him a perfect fit for a Baltimore offense that thrives on big plays. Jackson’s ability to create time in the pocket and throw accurately on the run would play to Bryant’s strengths. With Jackson’s deep ball accuracy improving over the years and his ability to extend plays, pairing him with a player like Bryant, who excels at deep routes and has a nose for the end zone, could be a match made in football heaven.

Bryant’s Impact on the Ravens’ Passing Game

Bryant’s arrival in Baltimore would provide the Ravens with the kind of deep threat that they’ve lacked for years. With a receiver like Bryant on the outside, Jackson would have a player who can not only stretch the field vertically but also win battles at the catch point. Bryant’s physicality, coupled with his speed, would force defensive coordinators to change how they approach the Ravens’ offense.

Having a vertical threat like Bryant would likely open up opportunities for the Ravens to run more play-action and RPO (run-pass option) concepts. The threat of Bryant running deep routes would require defensive backs to give him more cushion, which in turn would create more space for Andrews, Duvernay, and Bateman underneath. This could lead to more balanced play-calling for offensive coordinator Todd Monken, allowing the Ravens to mix in more passing plays without sacrificing their strong running attack.

Additionally, Bryant’s ability to create separation would give Jackson more reliable options when the Ravens need to move the ball in critical situations. Bryant’s size and ability to win contested catches would also make him a valuable asset in the red zone, an area where the Ravens have sometimes struggled in recent seasons. His ability to high-point the ball and make tough catches in tight spaces would make him an ideal target when the field shortens.

How Bryant Fits into the Ravens’ System

Bryant’s skill set meshes perfectly with what the Ravens are looking to achieve offensively. Jackson’s improvisational style of play and his penchant for making big plays outside the pocket would be complemented by Bryant’s speed, ability to make contested catches, and ability to track the ball downfield. As a big-bodied receiver, Bryant is also strong enough to block on the perimeter, which is crucial in an offense that runs the ball as effectively as the Ravens do.

The Ravens’ offense has long relied on play-action to create big plays in the passing game. With Bryant on the field, Jackson could fake the handoff and hit him deep down the sideline, forcing defenses to make difficult decisions about whether to load the box to stop the run or play deep to prevent the big pass. Bryant’s deep-threat ability would also force opposing defenses to respect the deep ball more, which could create more space for Jackson’s running game and more opportunities for other receivers to make plays.

Bryant’s versatility allows him to fit into different roles within the offense. While he is known for his deep threat ability, he is also capable of running a wide range of routes, from quick slants to out-routes to screens. His ability to run a diverse route tree would make him an ideal candidate for offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who will look to install a modern, explosive offense that keeps defenses on their toes.

The Ravens’ Long-Term Future with Bryant

The addition of Bryant would not only help the Ravens in the short term but also secure a promising future for their passing game. With Bryant and Jackson, the Ravens would have the foundation for a dynamic quarterback-receiver duo that could be among the best in the league for years to come. As Bryant continues to develop and refine his game, he would only become more of a weapon in Jackson’s arsenal, creating a potentially lethal combination in Baltimore’s offense.

Moreover, Bryant’s presence would help ensure that the Ravens have a steady, reliable option at wide receiver for the long haul. While Jackson’s long-term future in Baltimore seems secure, adding Bryant would solidify the Ravens’ passing attack and help them keep pace with the high-powered offenses in the AFC.

Conclusion

As the Baltimore Ravens look to build a more dynamic and complete offense for the future, Pat Bryant stands out as one of the key pieces that could help them achieve that goal. His combination of size, speed, route running, and ability to make contested catches makes him a perfect fit for Lamar Jackson’s skill set. If the Ravens are able to add Bryant to their roster, it would be a major boost to their passing game, giving Jackson another dynamic weapon and potentially taking their offense to the next level.

As the Ravens continue their pursuit of a Super Bowl, adding a player of Bryant’s caliber would be a strategic move that strengthens their chances of success in 2025 and beyond. If the Ravens can pair their elite running game with a more consistent and explosive passing attack, they will be a formidable force in the AFC and a team that could challenge for a championship in the near future.