As the NFL Draft approaches, anticipation of who lands where picks up, as the case for the Miami Dolphins in need of a rebuild.
The Dolphins need to improve the wide receiver room with the departures of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Miami could add a “long-striding, speedy target” in North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance, as ESPN’s Jordan Reid put it, during the second round of the draft on Friday.
Reid predicts Lance to land with the Dolphins at the No. 72 pick during the third round. Reid noted that Lance can stretch the field with an average of 21.2 yards per reception, as he did in 2025 with the Bison.
“He would track with Sullivan’s tendency to draft receivers on Day 2,” Reid wrote about Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
Miami’s current receiver room consists of Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Tutu Atwell as the first string guys. Washington averaged 6.9 yards per reception last season, Tolbert has a career average of 12 yards per catch with the Dallas Cowboys, and Atwell averaged 14.6 yards per catch in his career with the Los Angeles Rams.
Lance could add depth to the receiver room with dynamic playmaking ability. He had 127 receptions for 2,139 yards and 25 touchdowns in his collegiate career.
Bryce Lance’s Play Declined With New QB
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler noted that Lance’s play dipped in 2025 with the Bison as the team turned to quarterback Cole Payton.
“His production declined in 2025, as he played with a first-year starting quarterback, but he was still impactful, especially on splash plays (eight catches of 40-plus yards),” Brugler wrote.
Lance previously had a record season in 2024 with former Bison quarterback Cam Miller, now a backup for the Dolphins. They connected on 75 passes for 1,053 yards and 17 touchdowns. If Dolphins quarterbacks Malik Willis and Quinn Ewers both went down, Miller would have a familiar target with a high level of chemistry.
That said, Lance adjusting to a new starting quarterback is a question. In Willis’ case, he’s a first-time NFL starter after being a backup for most of his career with the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers.
Bryce Lance’s Ability to Adapt is a Key Consideration
How quickly Lance would adapt to the NFL and the Dolphins offense are key questions when the chance arrives to pick a receiver.
The younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance has promise, as Brugler sees it. The older Lance went No. 3 in the 2021 draft with the San Francisco 49ers after a standout career with the Bison.
“[Bryce] Lance isn’t as heralded an NFL prospect as his older brother, but he showed steady development over the past two seasons with his rangy skill set,” Brugler wrote. “A “Freaks List” alum, he brings a vertical presence to the field with his acceleration and tracking skills. He is an average separator but fights for positioning, wins contested catches and high points well.”
“Lance is a good-sized athlete and natural hands-catcher who requires route polish but adjusts well to the ball with physicality and body control,” Brugler added. “He projects as a rookie backup who should eventually compete for a starting role.”
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