​Denver Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto has established himself among the elite pass rushers in the NFL, and his rise hasn’t gone unnoticed around the league. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler conducted a survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to identify the top 10 edge defenders, and Bonitto earned a spot on the list, coming in at No. 10. This marks Bonitto’s first appearance in the top 10 after being an honorable mention in 2024.
A prominent NFL personnel evaluator highlighted Bonitto’s traits to Fowler, saying, “He may have 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 good spin move and excellent lower-body flexibility.” Bonitto has shown steady improvement since a difficult rookie season in which he logged 1.5 sacks across 15 games. Since 2023, he has accumulated 35.5 sacks, including a career-high 14 sacks in 2025, which ranked him fifth in the NFL for last season. That surge in production helped secure a four-year, $106 million contract extension before the 2025 campaign.
Last season, Bonitto led the Broncos in sacks, and the team totaled 68 sacks, 11 more than the next-closest squad, setting a franchise record and narrowly missing the single-season NFL mark set by the 1984 Chicago Bears with 72. The defensive line’s ascent continues to be a focal point for Denver, with defensive lineman Zach Allen projecting that the Broncos could break the single-season sack record in 2026.
The ESPN rankings also featured a host of other top pass rushers, including the obvious No. 1 choice: Myles Garrett of the Los Angeles Rams, who headlines the list. The AFC West was represented again via Las Vegas Raiders edge defender Maxx Crosby, who earned his way onto the conversation. Crosby’s offseason sang a dramatic tune, as he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, only for the deal to be reversed after a failed physical, according to Baltimore’s report.
Bonitto enters 2026 with the aim of earning a second All-Pro nod, having been just one point shy of the honor in 2025. To achieve that goal, he will again anchor a formidable Broncos defense and push for a leading role in the team’s sack production as the season approaches.
For fans following the Broncos, this period is a reminder that Bonitto’s development has taken him from a promising rookie to a legitimate force on the edge, one who can tilt games with his speed and technique. The 2026 season looms as a critical stretch for him to continue refining his pressure moves, maintain his disruptive pace, and help Denver chase more historic defensive marks.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Nik Bonitto cracks list of top-10 NFL pass rushers, voted on by league for better SEO.