Kansas City's pass defense clamps down on receivers, and Bryant operates in a crowded Denver passing game where he averages just 2.6 catches per game. Under 2.5 receptions cashes on two or fewer, and against a secondary that limits explosive plays and forces Nix into a compressed offensive scheme, Bryant's target share will shrink. His streaky 3-year baseline (floor 1, ceiling 5) and ESPN's early projection of just 1.7 receptions per game reflect the difficulty of consistent volume in Denver's offense against a stingy Kansas City defense.