Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at third-year outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, No. 42.
Before the Broncos: Bonitto (6-3, 240 pounds) played college football at Oklahoma, recording 32 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 18.5 sacks in his final three years (25 games) with the Sooners. Bonitto earned second-team All-Big honors twice and he was a second-team All-American in 2020 and a third-team All-American in 2021. He totaled eight sacks as a junior and seven sacks as a senior before entering the NFL.
Broncos tenure: Denver picked Bonitto in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. He was a rotational pass rusher as a rookie, recording 14 tackles, three quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks in 15 games (one start). Bonitto impressed in his second season with 30 tackles, 20 QB hits and eight sacks in 15 games (four starts).
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. Bonitto still has two years left on his rookie contract and he showed huge signs of progress in his second season. If he continues on his current trajectory, Bonitto figures to take another step forward in 2024.
