Replacing a legend like Von Miller is no small feat, but when the Denver Broncos drafted Nik Bonitto in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they hoped he could make a significant impact on their defense. While Bonitto may not replicate Miller’s legendary dominance, the team aimed to mitigate his absence by bolstering their defensive production over the long term.
Despite a slow start to his career in 2022, Bonitto flourished during the 2023 season with increased playing time, particularly excelling as a pass rusher. He recorded 8 sacks, second only to Jonathan Cooper, despite starting fewer games and playing significantly fewer defensive snaps. As Bonitto enters his third NFL season, following a standout career at Oklahoma, there’s anticipation that he is poised for his most impressive season yet.
Let’s delve deeper into Bonitto’s role with the team for the upcoming 2024 season.
Replacing a legend like Von Miller is no small task, but when the Denver Broncos drafted Nik Bonitto in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they hoped he could bring significant impact to their defense. While Bonitto may not reach the same legendary status as Miller, the team aimed to compensate for Miller’s departure by strengthening their defensive performance in the long term.
Despite a slow start to his career in 2022, Bonitto thrived during the 2023 season with increased playing time, particularly excelling as a pass rusher. He tallied 8 sacks, ranking second only to Jonathan Cooper, despite starting fewer games and playing significantly fewer defensive snaps. As Bonitto enters his third NFL season, following a standout career at Oklahoma, there’s anticipation that he is primed for his most impressive season yet.
Let’s explore Bonitto’s role with the team in more detail as the 2024 season approaches.
In the realm of starting status on the depth chart, it remains uncertain whether Bonitto will secure that position. However, his undeniable potential and ability to disrupt games as a pass rusher are evident. Strengthening his skills as a run defender and at the point of attack will be vital for him to earn that recognition and continue his upward trajectory in 2024.
Nevertheless, it’s expected that he will see an uptick in playing time compared to last season, especially given his impressive productivity as a pass rusher in limited defensive snaps. With Browning’s injury history and Bonitto’s superior statistical performance last season, it’s conceivable that Bonitto will emerge from training camp as the clear starter opposite Cooper.
Nonetheless, the competition will be fierce and worthy of close attention from fans when training camp commences in late July. In this scenario, it appears that the former Sooner will challenge his former Buckeye teammate, both in performance on the field and potentially in negotiations for long-term extensions in the near future.
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