Why Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto could be key to pass-rush renaissance

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The first thing you notice are the shoulders. “It was study the guys in front of me and studying guys around the league and really seeing how they’re winning, especially against the teams and tackles we are going against,” Bonitto said. “It’s that growth we always talk about from Year 1 to Year 2, but I think he had more playing time snaps, too.” GO DEEPER Broncos head into 2024 with optimism about secondary — and plenty of questions Bonitto played 357 snaps as a rookie and jumped to 525 last season. The group that shakes out when the 53-man roster is created will be filled with players on their rookie contracts: Bonitto, Cooper, Baron Browning, Drew Sanders and third-round pick Jonah Ellis, who, Bonitto said, “has shown a lot of flashes and is picking it up a lot faster than I did as a rookie.” GO DEEPER Broncos hope 'crazy' additions on defensive front will be a boon against the run Like so many other spots on the roster, there is significant competition for snaps at outside linebacker. I feel like we have a lot of veterans in our room between me, Coop and even Nik, so we’re just trying to push one another and keep the standard upheld that’s been upheld in our room before we even got here.” Bonitto, like other returning members of Denver’s defense, said having continuity in Joseph’s scheme has done wonders for his offseason development, allowing him to focus more finely on his technique and less on grappling with a new playbook.