The 2022 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Nik Bonitto 2022 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Edge Rusher
Size: 6-foot-3, 248 pounds
Class: Redshirt Junior
2021 stats: 39 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
Bonitto has made a huge impact for the Sooners over the last few seasons. He is now headed to the NFL Draft.
As a four-star prospect out of Florida, Bonitto decided to leave the state to play for Oklahoma. He played sparingly as a freshman and redshirted. As a redshirt freshman, he cracked the starting lineup by the end of the season, totaling 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He helped the Sooners go 12-2 and make the College Football Playoff. In 2020, he improved with 11.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Oklahoma won the Cotton Bowl to finish the season 9-2. Bonitto had another good season in 2021 with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks. The Sooners won 11 games including the Alamo Bowl.
Following the Alamo Bowl, Bonitto declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a second to fourth-round pick.
Bonitto has good burst and a quick first step. He gets an early jump on a play, which gives him the edge and also puts the opposing offensive lineman in recovery mode. His good burst allows him to put pressure on offensive linemen and make plays.
His athleticism is unique. Bonitto has good quickness and speed, which helps him get a step on offensive linemen. He also has the flexibility to dip around the edge. Bonitto is a speed rusher who knows how to use his athleticism to get past his matchup.
He is more of a pass rusher than a run defender. Bonitto uses his athleticism well, but also has a good number of pass-rushing moves and counters. He knows how to use his hands and can use them to fight offensive linemen. Bonitto is a decently refined pass rusher.
Bonitto is a little undersized for an edge rusher. He is 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds, which is on the lighter side. His arms are also only 32 1/2 inches, which is also average at best for the position. He will be going up against much bigger players in the pros.
He is not a proven run defender. Bonitto struggles to shed blocks against the run and also has difficulty setting the edge. With his struggles, Bonitto may only be a situational pass rusher at the next level. He also is best as a 3-4 outside linebacker and may not fit into a 4-3 scheme.
Powerful offensive linemen can stymie Bonitto’s pass rush. He doesn’t convert his speed to power, which helps the offensive linemen sustain their blocks longer. If he adds some muscle to his frame, he may be able to be a more powerful rusher.
Projected Draft Range: Second Round Pick-Fourth Round Pick
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