Nik Bonitto isn’t a finished product.
In Year 1, he won’t have to be because the Denver Broncos are loaded with depth at outside linebacker, led by Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory.
Bonitto will make an impact this season, but he’s unlikely to start initially, and that will give him time to grow and improve.
“He’s very fast,” Broncos defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones said of Bonitto on June 7. “He kind of reminds me of how Baron [Browning] plays. They both are very speedy guys off the edge. I see a lot of potential in him. There’s a lot more to go with just understanding the plays and understanding the system, but he’s going to be good.”
Chubb agreed with Jones’ assessment, and he’s willing to coach up the rookie pass rusher, as much as he’d like to be.
“His get off is crazy,” Chubb said. “He’s such a finesse guy. He moves around tackles and goes past them. It’s been fun to watch him grow.
“I’m just trying to teach him all the little things that helped me out. He can take it or leave it, but he’s already a good player. When the guys in that room keep working around each other, it’s going to be better for all of us.”
With so much depth at the position, the Broncos will aim to have a healthy, fresh OLB room this fall with waves of pass rushers rotating on game days.
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