FARGO — Former North Dakota State receiver Bryce Lance could be the next Lance taken in the early rounds of the NFL Draft.
Emory Hunt, who founded Football Gameplan and is a football analyst for CBS Sports HQ, projects Lance to be selected early in the second day of the upcoming draft.
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“I have him as a second-round talent," Hunt said. "I’m a big fan of what he brings to the table. I would take him in the second round if I had a team.”
Lance and former Bison quarterback Cole Payton are in Indianapolis for the annual NFL Scouting Combine, which started with on-field work Thursday. Quarterbacks, receivers and running backs are slated to take the field on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The NFL Draft is April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Round 1 is on April 23, Rounds 2-3 are on April 24 and Rounds 4-7 on April 25. If Lance is drafted in the second round, he will join older brother Trey Lance as a high-round draft selection. Trey, a fromer Bison QB, was selected at No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Hunt compares the 6-foot-3, 209-pound Bryce Lance to current Green Bay receiver Romeo Doubs as a receiver who can win at all three levels. Bryce had 51 catches for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns this past season for NDSU. During his junior season in 2024, he had 75 receptions for 1,071 yards and 17 TDs.
“He can take a slant and house it," Hunt said. "He can weave his way in and out of traffic really well.”
Hunt added Bryce Lance is a "natural catcher" who could help his draft stock if he tests well in the agility drills.
“The long speed (40-yard dash) is the long speed, but can you be elusive?” Hunt said. “It’s the athleticism and him being able to play ‘small’ in certain situations is going to be the difference. We know he can play big, but can you play small when you need me to play small?”
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Former North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton is set to participate this week at the annual NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
David Samson / The Forum
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has Payton rated as his No. 6 quarterback in the class, behing Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Alabama's Ty Simpson, Penn State's Drew Allar, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and Miami's (Fla.) Carson Beck.
Hunt has the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Payton projected as a Day 3 selection, which are Rounds 4-7.
“I think he's someone who you can find value on Day 3," Hunt said. "What I love about what he brings to the table is he’s super versatile.”
Hunt compares Payton to former longtime NFL QB Josh McCown, who finished his college career at Sam Houston State.
“It doesn’t always look pretty, it doesn’t look technically sound, but he’s effective, it works and he’s a gamer," Hunt said.
Hunt added Payton can potentially improve his draft stock if he throws the ball well during on-field sessions at the Combine.
“For him it’s about making sure he throws on time. The beauty about him coming from a small school is everybody else in front of him is not throwing. I’ve got a chance to make up some ground," Hunt said. “How quickly can he get the timing down with these receivers that he hasn’t been familiar with. That’s going to be where he has a chance to really rise.”
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Payton completed 72% of his passes for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns with four intereptions this past season, his only season as a starter for the Bison. He also rushed for 777 yards and 13 TDs on 136 attempts.
Hunt said Payton being a one-year college starter won't necessarily affect his draft stock. Since 2016, the Bison have had four QBs selected in the NFL Draft.
“I think it’s less important for him because of the pedigree of the program he is coming from," Hunt said. "North Dakota State is a known commodity, a trusted commodity. ... Payton’s time was called and he stepped in really well.”
Eric Peterson
By Eric Peterson
Peterson covers college athletics for The Forum, including Concordia College and Minnesota State Moorhead. He also covers the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks independent baseball team and helps out with North Dakota State football coverage. Peterson has been working at the newspaper since 1996.