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3 most important players on Denver Broncos who aren’t starters

By Lou Scataglia

DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 26: KJ Hamler #1 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field before the game against the New York Jets at Empower Field At Mile High on September 26, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 26: KJ Hamler #1 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field before the game against the New York Jets at Empower Field At Mile High on September 26, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos 2022 NFL Draft: Nik Bonitto #DL01 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Nik Bonitto is another (projected) non-starter who is extremely important to the team

In 2021, the Denver Broncos had the league’s worst pass-rushing situation. In free agency and the draft this year, they added Nik Bonitto and Randy Gregory, while also moving Baron Browning to EDGE full time.

Their investment in their pass rushers is obvious, but there is still some uncertainty with the unit.

Both Chubb and Gregory have struggled in their careers with consistency and staying on the field, and if that happens again in 2022, a projected backup for this upcoming season, Nik Bonitto, is someone who could see the field very quickly.

As of now, he is essentially a pass rush specialist. He’s got to get stronger, but his speed and ability to get to the quarterback is evident.

Bonitto would give Denver another solid option if one of the projected starters goes down.

While Malik Reed, Jonathon Cooper, and Stephen Weatherly surely tried their best, their best was simply not good enough for the team to maintain an adequate pass rush presence.

Next. Toughest QBs Broncos will face in 2022. dark

Now that a young guy like Nik Bonitto is in the mix, the Denver Broncos should rest easy knowing they have an adequate backup if something were to go wrong.

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