An Oklahoma product who turned a 2022 second-round pick into a Pro Bowl, second-team All-Pro pass rusher for Denver.
Nik Bonitto has developed into one of the NFL's most disruptive edge rushers since arriving in Denver via a trade the Broncos originally acquired from the Von Miller deal with the Rams. The Fort Lauderdale native and former Oklahoma standout has turned speed off the edge into elite sack production.
Path to the league
Bonitto broke out at Oklahoma, earning second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press and first-team recognition from Pro Football Focus. The Denver Broncos selected him with the 64th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, using a selection originally obtained from the Los Angeles Rams in the Von Miller trade.
Career highlights
Bonitto has grown into a featured piece of Denver's pass rush, capped by a career season that included 13.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 24 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles along with two defensive touchdowns. That performance earned him Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors, and the Broncos rewarded him with a four-year contract extension.
2025 season recap
Bonitto's 2025 season was the best of his career, headlined by his career-high 13.5 sacks and All-Pro recognition, solidifying him as one of Denver's core defensive building blocks.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Nik Bonitto
- Denver Broncos: Broncos sign OLB Nik Bonitto to 4-year contract extension
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Defense
17 games played▶Defense · career
| Year | Team | GP | TOT | SOLO | SACK | INT | FF | FR | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | broncos | 17 | 46 | 31 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | broncos | 17 | 48 | 33 | 13.5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2023 | broncos | 15 | 30 | 23 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | broncos | 15 | 14 | 6 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Oklahoma
- Hometown
- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Age
- 26
- Status
- active
