Falcons rookie Cobee Bryant continues to turn heads in mini-camp! He is prompting the scouts, analysts, and even opposing wideouts to look back at the tape. And, they are asking an important question: How did we miss this guy? However, Bryant’s rise is meanwhile engulfed in grief. Just weeks into his NFL journey, the former Kansas cornerback is carrying the weight of an unimaginable loss. That is, the death of his best friend, former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy.

On his Instagram story, Bryant posted an emotional video of their time spent together, working out in the sports facility. He captioned it in a raw manner, writing, “dam yk I love you everyday be crying my eyes out bout you yk det miss you bestfriend.” The brotherhood they share cannot be surpassed.

When Lacy’s life came to a devastating end on April 12, 2025, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a police pursuit in Houston, it indeed broke the hearts of many. And, Bryant was one among them.

Lacy was under intense legal and emotional pressure. Given his involvement in a December 2024 crash that killed 78-year-old Herman Hall, and the felony charges that followed soon after, it cast a dark shadow on his pro aspirations. Though he showed up at LSU’s Pro Day, it wasn’t enough. And his name was never called during the draft. Days later, he killed himself.

While Lacy’s dream ended, Bryant’s has just begun. After he was undrafted despite having a standout career at Kansas, he has now landed with the Falcons as a free agent. But the tragic demise of Kyren Lacy continues to bear an emotional weight on him.

Lacy’s father, Kenny, had posted a heart-wrenching message, writing, “Mental health problems operate beneath the surface… Don’t take basic answers as truth if your child is clearly not okay.” And, amidst this, Bryant is not just mourning; he wants Lacy’s name to echo to show the world that none of them were a miss.

Raheem Morris sees Cobee Bryant as a longshot defensive asset

Bryant is all set to battle for a spot on Atlanta’s final 53-man roster this summer. And he didn’t come in quietly. “I want Ja’Marr Chase,” Bryant said with authority when he was asked who he wanted to line up against.

Chase is a former LSU legend and the NFL’s 2024 receiving leader. Bryant, who is a 6-foot, 175-pound corner from Kansas, is already making waves in mini-camp. The NFL analysts see him as one of the top rookie pickups, and even Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is invested in him.

In fact, he praised him with full zest. “Cobee is the most famous undrafted player I’ve ever been around,” he said. “I mean, my kids know him.” Morris has closely analysed Bryant’s tape. He continued, “The amount of players he’s played against and the guys he’s able to compete against—it’s exciting.”

Atlanta brought Bryant in for a top-30 pre-draft visit, and when Morris had a one-on-one chance with him, he immediately sensed his capabilities. With A.J. Terrell at CB1 and Mike Hughes, Mike Ford, and Keith Taylor Jr. filling the slots behind, now the door remains wide open for Bryant to secure his spot as a defensive asset.