With the 64th overall selection, the Denver Broncos selected pass rush extraordinaire Nik Bonitto from Oklahoma.
After coming into the 2022 NFL Draft with needs at tight end, offensive line, inside and out, cornerback, inside linebacker, and could upgrade a couple of other rooms, the Denver Broncos selected Nik Bonitto with their first selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
George Paton sat patiently as the Baltimore Ravens stole David Ojabo with the 45th overall selection, Arizona Cardinals picked Trey McBride with the 55th overall selection.
While some were clamoring for the former CSU Ram, I can see why George Paton was hesitant on pulling the trigger to move up for the NCAA’s Mackey Award winner last season.
Troy Andersen and Roger McCreary, both potential targets of the Denver Broncos, also went earlier in the second round.
That should not overshadow the selection of Nik Bonitto.
Nik Bonitto is a fantastic pick by George Paton and the Denver Broncos
This was a fantastic selection by George Paton. In a previous article, I predicted that the Denver Broncos would open and close the draft by addressing the edge position and its overall depth, that has held true so far.
Bonitto has had multiple pressures in every game in the past two seasons. Bonitto posted a 21.9% pressure rate on snaps played in 2021. With 48 pressures last year, Bonitto was tied for the most in the big 12.
Totaling 19.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss during his time with Oklahoma, Bonitto has been consistent since his sophomore season in 2020.
Last season the Denver Broncos struggled mightily with getting pressure on the quarterback, adding Bonitto should help improve this weakness immediately.
Now with a three-headed monster of Randy Gregory, Bradley Chubb, and Nik Bonitto, the Denver Broncos pass rush is expecting to improve drastically with the major overhaul.
From an athletic profile, Bonitto rivals former Denver Bronco, Von Miller. At both of their respective pro day/combines, Miller ran a bit faster and showed a bit more quickness, and has longer arms, Bonitto was right on his heels with the exception of out-bench pressing him.
Bonitto posted a RAS (Relative Athletic Score) of 9.5 out of 10, this is something that Paton has been keen on when drafting prospects. At the combine, Bonitto ran a 4.54 40-yard dash, an impressive number for an edge rusher.
Grading the Denver Broncos selection of Nik Bonitto in 2022 NFL Draft
The Denver Broncos have used their top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Nik Bonitto. We break down the potential impact of the pick and give it a grade.
Nik Bonitto fills a huge need for the Denver Broncos in 2022 and could even be a potential replacement for penciled-in starter, Bradley Chubb, in 2023.