Nik Bonitto, a 24-year-old pass rusher from Oklahoma, was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. Despite recording only three quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks in his rookie season, Bonitto showed significant improvement in his second year with the team. He tallied 20 quarterback hits and eight sacks in the same number of games last fall, thanks to increased opportunities and playing time.
Coach Sean Payton recently commented on Bonitto’s progress, attributing his growth to those factors. In his rookie season, Bonitto received 357 snaps but saw that number rise to 524 snaps in his sophomore year. His playing time jumped from 35% of defensive snaps in 2022 to 52% in 2023, allowing him to showcase his skills as a pass rusher. With expectations high for him to reach double-digit sacks in the upcoming season, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring Bonitto’s growth and potential as a key player on the Broncos’ defense progressing forward.
