​Nik Bonitto, wearing number 15 for the Denver Broncos, has developed into one of the NFL’s premier pass-rushers, delivering standout moments such as celebrating a sack against the Tennessee Titans and reacting with intensity after the Broncos defeated the Las Vegas Raiders. His impact has helped Denver construct one of the league’s most disruptive defenses, a unit that has led the NFL in sacks for back-to-back seasons, a feat largely attributed to Bonitto’s emergence as a premier edge defender.
The former second-round pick from the 2022 draft has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections and earned First- or Second-Team All-Pro recognition in 2024, underscoring his rapid rise. Yet, despite his significant contributions over the past two seasons, some observers still rank him behind a few players he has outproduced, a sentiment that surfaced in comments from a member of a rival organization.
Bonitto has become one of the Broncos’ most feared pass-rushers, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler highlighted him as the sole EDGE defender to debut in the outlet’s annual survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. Bonitto placed 10th on that list, narrowly edging out Cleveland Browns rookie pass rusher Jared Verse. Fowler also emphasized Bonitto’s growth in sack production, noting a jump from 1.5 sacks as a rookie and 8.5 sacks across his first two seasons to 13.5 sacks in 2024 and 14.0 sacks in 2025.
An anonymous personnel evaluator praised Bonitto’s quickness, saying, “He’s got perhaps the best get-off in the league. Serious closing speed. He’s on the quarterback as soon as the ball’s snapped. He has a strong spin move and exceptional lower-body flexibility.” Bonitto, who turns 27 this September, is under contract through 2029. He signed a four-year, $106 million extension in September 2025, and with less than $1 million in potential savings if the Broncos were to extend him further, there isn’t a pressing financial incentive to pursue another deal at this time.
Question marks around Bonitto’s run defense persist, but his pass-rush prowess remains elite. He finished last season fifth in sacks, following a third-place finish in 2024, and he trails only Myles Garrett in combined sacks over the past two seasons. Fowler also highlighted Bonitto’s 23.7% pass-rush win rate off the edge, a mark that ranked second in the NFL, while noting concerns about raw power and run-game impact. Denver, however, believes Bonitto has continued to improve in those areas, and he has established a reputation as a force on the edge.
Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper together form a formidable pairing, providing the Broncos with a top-tier dynamic duo on the defensive front. CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns echoed the sentiment that the Broncos’ pass rush is a team effort, but stressed that Bonitto and Cooper are the driving force behind the unit’s success. Bahns noted that only five NFL teams in history have reached or surpassed the Broncos’ sack totals in 2025, underscoring the impact of Bonitto’s development and the overall optimization of Denver’s pass rush.
In summary, Nik Bonitto’s ascent from a promising draft pick to a consistent and dominant NFL edge presence has been a cornerstone of the Broncos’ defensive identity. His combination of elite get-off speed, refined rushing technique, and continued improvement against the run has solidified him as one of the league’s top sack artists and a centerpiece of Denver’s continued pursuit of elite defensive play.