Nik Bonitto shines in the Denver Broncos defense

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Some of the Denver Broncos get the most attention.

And rightly so.

Bo Nix is ​​now in position to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Pat Surtain II is the best cornerback in the NFL. Zack Allen is having a monster season. Wil Lutz is one of the best and most consistent kickers in the league.

Nik Bonitto deserves just as much pub. The Broncos’ edge rusher is having a phenomenal season on one of the NFL’s best defenses. Bonitto ranks third in the NFL with 10 sacks. He is the first Denver player to record double-digit sacks since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in 2018.

And it feels like Bonitto is just getting started.

“He was a great pass rusher in college, and he’s a great one now,” Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told media in Denver this week. “He plays well. His improvement really came from the running game. The more you can play, the more chance you have to hurry up. If you’re just a DPR (defensive pass rusher) – just a rusher – we can’t play you all the way. As Nik improves, he will become stronger in the running game. He plays the run very well. This has allowed him to have more rushes. Because he is a more solid player on the edge, he can rush more often. Now his special trait has shown itself, namely pass rushing.”

As Joseph mentioned, Bonitto’s biggest leap came in run defense. He started growing last season but has taken it to the next level in 2024. Last season, Bonitto finished with 30 total tackles, eight sacks, 13 tackles for loss and one forced fumble.

In addition to the 10 sacks this season, Bonitto has 35 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Bonitto still has five games left to improve this record. He’s obviously on track to have the best season of his short career.

“When he came here his first year, you could see the characteristics,” Joesph told the media. “Again, he didn’t play all the time because he wasn’t a great run defender. Because he is a run defender and gets stronger at the rim, he can make more runs. Obviously he will win his share with multiple rushes. Having leads, having longer third downs – those things – having “Coop” (OLB Jonathon Cooper) opposite (of him) and having (DE) Zach (Allen) under center, it’s really a lot of things enabling him to get one-on-one. Once he does that, he will win his share.”

Broncos news

Broncos Notebook: Denver will prepare for an “electric” environment in its Week 13 “Monday Night Football” matchup
Additionally, rookie quarterback Bo Nix remains focused on the “next game (and) next opponent” as he continues to receive accolades.

Broncos QB Bo Nix ‘ready to go’ after minor back problem | 9news.com
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said he was “ready to play” after suffering a back problem last week against the Las Vegas Raiders | NFL Monday Night Football, Cleveland Browns.

Young Denver Broncos players show mental toughness | 9news.com
NFL coach Sean Payton reflects on the Thanksgiving holiday and the mental toughness of young players as rookie QB Bo Nix earns more accolades in Week 12.

Courtland Sutton and Bo Nix are growing together for the surging Broncos – ESPN
Sutton emerged as Nix’s first choice, which helped give the Broncos’ rookie quarterback momentum heading into the final stretch.

NFL news

NFL issues statement on bizarre penalty at the end of Chiefs’ Black Friday win over Raiders – CBSSports.com
The league determined the difference between a dead ball penalty and a live ball penalty

Battle of the RBs: Barkley and Henry face a neck-and-neck race – ESPN
Barkley and Henry have proven that they are worth the money the Eagles and Ravens invested in the running back position this offseason.

NFL Week 13 Picks, Schedule, Odds, Injuries, Fantasy Picks – ESPN
Here’s everything you need to know for the remaining NFL games in Week 13. Which teams will win, who are the X-factors and which storylines are most important?

Week 13 NFL Picks: Eagles or Ravens in Heavyweight Battle? Will the Chargers, Steelers and Texans recover?
Can the Cardinals, Chargers, Steelers and Texans get back on the road? And who will prevail in the heavyweight battle between the Eagles and the Ravens? Check out the Week 13 game picks!

Sophomore slump/shock/breakout: What’s going on with CJ Stroud? Bryce Young reincarnated? Next great slot?
What’s wrong with CJ Stroud? How did Bryce Young get back on track? Is Jaxon Smith-Njigba the next All-Pro slot receiver?