Mile High Report
In the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos selected Oklahoma edge rusher Nik Bonitto with their 64th overall selection. Expectations were high on the young pass rusher; however, his rookie year would be a struggle. He would only total 1.5 sacks and struggle against the run, which, as a result, had some fans calling the Broncos’ young pass rusher a bust. However, in year two under newly hired defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Bonitto would explode for 8 sacks and show the potential that General Manager George Paton saw when he drafted him.
In year three is when things really took off for Bonitto. He would become a key part of the Broncos defense and be their top pass rusher on the team. In 2024, he totaled 13.5 sacks, had two defensive touchdowns, and was in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation with his teammate Pat Surtain II, who would eventually win the award. The expectations for Bonitto were high in 2025 after this performance, and on top of that, he was entering the final year of his rookie deal and was due a large payday. The Broncos’ office did not wait long to lock up their star pass rusher, and the two sides agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $120 million before the start of the season.
Bonitto would reward the Broncos with a career-high 14-sack performance plus an additional sack and 2 forced fumbles during the team’s postseason run. He has established himself as the Broncos’ top pass rusher and put himself in the conversation as one of the best all-around edge rushers in the NFL right now.
Now, he enters year five with the Broncos looking to improve on his 14-sack performance in 2025 and lead the Broncos’ pass rush that has led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons.
Nik Bonitto | Edge Rusher | Denver Broncos
Bonitto will be the Broncos’ top pass rusher once again and a key member of their top-ranked defense, which has led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons. Throughout his career, he has improved his sack number from the previous year and will look to top 14 sacks this upcoming season for the Broncos.
With the Broncos having Super Bowl aspirations and Jonathon Cooper currently dealing with some off-the-field legal issues, Bonitto will need to step up and really lead this edge rushing group. He will likely be paired with young players like Jonah Elliss and Que Robinson, and he will need to continue to help those young pass rushers grow...
