An FCS national champion and All-American at North Dakota State, Bryce Lance brings elite deep speed and a famous NFL last name to New Orleans.
Bryce Lance arrives with pedigree on both sides of the ledger: back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at North Dakota State and a brother, Trey Lance, who was a top-three NFL draft pick. A fourth-round selection by the Saints in 2026, Lance is one of the most explosive vertical threats to come out of the FCS ranks in years.
Path to the league
Lance starred at North Dakota State, one of the most successful programs in FCS history, helping lead the Bison to a national championship in 2024. He tested exceptionally well ahead of the draft, running a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and posting a 41.5-inch vertical jump, numbers that helped push him into the fourth round despite his small-school background. The Saints selected him with the 136th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
Lance set a North Dakota State school record with 17 receiving touchdowns in 2024 while posting back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He earned first-team AP All-American honors in 2025 as one of the most productive playmakers in the FCS. His combination of size at 6-foot-3 and rare top-end speed made him a standout against both FCS and occasional FBS competition.
2025 season recap
Lance capped his college career in 2025 with first-team AP All-American recognition, continuing his streak of 1,000-yard production and cementing himself as one of the top receiving prospects outside the Power Four conferences. That season's tape and his subsequent pre-draft testing numbers made him a priority target for the Saints on Day 3 of the draft.
Sources
- New Orleans Saints: Bryce Lance - 5 Things to Know
- SI.com: Saints Day 3 Pick - WR Bryce Lance
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- North Dakota State
- Hometown
- Marshall, MN, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
