Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton walks on the field before the start of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos are in an unenviable position of aiming to win while rebuilding during the upcoming 2024 NFL season.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Credit: Getty Images
In a lot of ways, the upcoming campaign hinges on prioritizing first-round rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s development, while also looking to make significant progress in Sean Payton’s second season as head coach.
Premier talent emerging on the defensive side of the ball may prove pivotal in both aspects, as a strong and stingy Broncos defense would take pressure off of Nix and a young offense.
Is Former Second-Round Pick the Denver Broncos’ 2024 Breakout Star?
The Broncos chose linebacker Nik Bonitto in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, yet through his first two seasons, the former Oklahoma standout has yet to produce 50 total tackles combined in his career.
There is some optimism that that could change with Vance Joseph’s return as Denver’s defensive coordinator this fall.
Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team lists Bonitto as one of the breakout stars to watch, defensively, league-wide for the upcoming season.
“For Bonitto to take the next step as a player,” Mosher writes. “He has to improve as a run defender. And that was the knock on him coming out of Oklahoma. Bonitto measured in at 6-3 and 248 pounds at the NFL Combine, which is certainly on the smaller side for an EDGE rusher. But because of his speed, quickness, and flexibility, he’s been able to make it work due to his pass-rush skills. He can be a special pass rusher and we saw that in spurts last season when he was on the field.
“Bonitto earned more snaps in Year 2, but he played on fewer than 200 run-down snaps. Denver brought him on the field in obvious passing-down situations, but he was far from a full-time player because he’s struggled to hold up against the run. That’ll need to change if he wants to have a breakout season, but he has all of the tools to be a double-digit sack player provided that he can play enough snaps. Look for Vance Joseph to find a way to get him on the field more often in 2024.”
Last season, Bonitto produced a career-high 30 tackles with eight sacks, underscoring his ability to get after the quarterback and create havoc in the backfield. Yet, as Mosher points out, Pro Football Focus gives Bonitto a meager 53.9 run-stopping grade for the 2023 season.
If Bonitto can continue on his trajectory as a pass-rush presence when deployed off the edge and improve against the run, he could prove to be a key cog in Denver’s defense in 2024 and beyond.
Jul 28, 2023; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite talks with linebacker Nik Bonitto (42) and linebacker Frank Clark (55) and linebacker Randy Gregory (5) during training camp at Centura Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker.
Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com.
Matt Lombardo is a seasoned NFL reporter, with over 12 years of experience covering the league.
In addition to his work at Gridiron Heroics, Lombardo covers the NFL for Heavy.com, is an on air sports contributor for FOX29 Philadelphia, and writes an NFL Substack "Between The Hashmarks."
Lombardo is the former Senior NFL Insider of FanBuzz, and prior to taking that role was a national NFL reporter at FanSided where he hosted a weekly podcast "The Matt Lombardo Show."
A former beat reporter for NJ Advance Media (Parent company of NJ.com and the Newark Star Ledger), Lombardo covered the Philadelphia Eagles from 2011 through the 2017 season before moving to cover the New York Giants for the Star Ledger for two seasons from 2018 through 2020.
During his career to date, Lombardo has covered five Super Bowls, four NFL Drafts, multiple NFL Combines, and has had his work frequently featured in publications such as Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, and more.
In addition to his journalism work, Lombardo is a strong on air presence and is a former sports talk radio host on 97.5 FM The Fanatic, Philadelphia's first FM Sports Station and the radio home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers.