[autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] is one of the more intriguing players to watch in this draft class. How the draft community envisions his draft stock is all over the place. Some have him as a first-to-second round prospect while others view him as a second-to-third round talent.
Just the other day Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus included Bonitto on his list of most underrated prospects in the 2022 NFL draft. Much of the issue that analysts supposedly have with Nik Bonitto is his size, which seems odd considering he’s going into the draft at 6-3, 248 lbs. It may not be the ideal size for an every-down edge player in the NFL, but Bonitto’s ability should more than makeup for it.
The other issue is teams may not know where he fits on their defense. Which if that’s the case, then teams need to rethink how they look at prospects because Bonitto’s a player. He’s a weakside edge whether you run a 3-4 or a 4-3 and he’ll be a dynamic player in that role.
Despite his “size issues,” Bonitto is able to get to the quarterback and set the edge in the run game.
In the latest mock draft from Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus, Bonitto was selected to the Cleveland Browns at No. 44.
44. Nik Bonitto, EDGE to the Cleveland Browns
Bonitto has become an afterthought in this deep edge class. And while his lack of a strength element and underwhelming size/length are rightful concerns, the 6-foot-3, 248-pound edge defender has put up some of the best pass-rush numbers in the country over the last couple of years.
Since 2020, Bonitto ranks first among all FBS edge defenders in pass-rush grade (94.6), pass-rush win rate (27.8%) and pressure rate (22.2%). He may serve as a designated pass-rusher to start, but he can provide value in that role. – Treash, PFF
Pro Football Focus loves Nik Bonitto and that’s evident in their selection of him at No. 44. This is the highest he’s been taken in any mock draft that I’ve seen this spring. It’s certainly a warranted selection, but it’ll be interesting to see if NFL teams view him similarly.
Bonitto will be a steal for whichever team takes him in the 2022 NFL draft. A talented player with a refined pass rush repertoire falling to the second will be an incredible value when his name comes off the board.
One glaring omission from Treash’s mock draft is Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. Winfrey has been a consensus second-round selection in nearly every mock draft after impressive Senior Bowl and NFL Combine performances. Of each of the Sooners’ 12 draft-eligible prospects, Winfrey has the best shot at being selected first at the end of April.
But from the looks of this mock and the buzz from draft analysts, Bonitto’s stock might be rising and should give Winfrey a push for the first Oklahoma Sooners player selected.
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