Now that the Denver Broncos have selected edge rusher, Nik Bonitto, the outside linebacker room just got a bit tighter.
By adding Nik Bonitto, the Denver Broncos pass rush group that includes Bradley Chubb, Randy Gregory, Jonathon Cooper, Malik Reed, Andre Mintze and Aaron Patrick improved immediately.
Nik Bonitto is a 6-foot-3, 240+ pound edge rusher that possesses a similar build to former Denver Bronco, Von Miller. Looks a bit undersized, but he is a guy who gets pressure and does so quickly.
Tied for the most pressures in collegiate football with 48 last season, Bonitto has shown how talented he truly is. Posting a 9.5 RAS (Relative Athletic Score), Nik Bonitto ran a 4.54 forty-yard dash, and his speed shown on film, as well as his ability to just win as a natural pass rusher.
Unfortunately for guys like Aaron Patrick, this could put him in danger of cracking the 53-man roster. However, working in Patrick’s favor, Special Teams Coordinator Dwayne Stukes said that he expects Aaron Patrick to be one of the core special teamers in the upcoming season.
Would the Denver Broncos really carve out a spot for Patrick for his special teams prowess, even if it forces someone like Andre Mintze off the roster? I’d absolutely say so.
Just look at what George Paton did last year in an effort to improve the special teams unit, he traded for Mike Ford and Jonas Griffith. While Griffith actually turned out to be a solid linebacker too, that was never the pure intention of the trade.
Looking at this ahead, I think drafting Nik Bonitto definitely puts pressure on Bradley Chubb to perform in 2022 if he wants to remain a Denver Bronco.
With the contract extension of Russell Wilson, one thing the Denver Broncos need to do is get cost-controlled at as many positions as possible.
After signing Randy Gregory to a lucrative deal this offseason, I’m not sure that the Denver Broncos will be able to pay Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory.
Dre’Mont Jones is another player coming up on a contract extension and paying three trench defenders top dollar will be tough if you are paying a franchise quarterback, a left tackle, safety, and multiple wide receivers chunky contracts already.
If Bradley Chubb shows out in 2022, that still can work out for the Denver Broncos and George Paton in the compensatory formula.
This also works out for Bradley Chubb as teams are always hungry for pass rushers, sow while this could spell the end of Bradley Chubb’s era in Denver, his career is just getting underway.
It is understood that the NFL is a business, just ask Von Miller. Tim Patrick said it, nobody is safe in the NFL. That is just the unfortunate reality of it all.
Denver Broncos 2022 NFL Draft tracker, instant pick grades
The Denver Broncos finally have some picks on day two of the 2022 NFL Draft. How will George Paton and company add to this impressive roster?
Drafting Nik Bonitto may end up pushing multiple pass rushers off of the roster for the Denver Broncos, one this season and another next in Andre Mintze and Bradley Chubb.