Nik Bonitto NFL Draft Profile
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Nik Bonitto Scouting ReportNik is a bit smaller thanthe average edge defender, but the Oklahoma Outside Linebacker makes up for it with his movement skills. He is an explosive, quick twitch athlete. He accelerates quickly out fo direction changes, and he is also incredibly light on his feet when traversing the line. Bonitto's lateral athleticism can grant him positive leverage against tackles. Furthermore, he possesses solid fluidity when navigating through congestion. He has the agility to execute spins and other finesse moves, and he sinks his hips with relative ease when changing directions. His natural twitch lends him the capacity for quick upper body movements. Moreover, Bonitto flashes the ankle flexion necessary to lower himself and reduce his surface area. Nik is a high-effort player, and that effort shows up in multiple phases. In run and pass defense, he keeps his legs moving even while anchored. And in tackling situations, he’s willing to lay out and dive for takedowns. He doesn’t have the most imposing length, but he’s proactive in using it to the best of his ability. In a similar vein, Bonitto flashes calculated hand usage. He can improve here, but the foundation is there for him to keep building. Nik’s pass-rushing upside is most enticing, but he’s also versatile enough to drop back in coverage. His intangible traits heavily contribute to that ability. Bonitto is a surprisingly instinctive pass defender in the short and intermediate ranges. He has the awareness to patrol the flats, and he’s fluid turning his hips toward the sideline to close off checkdowns. |
Areas for ImprovementNik is an exciting talent, it is important to go over his flaws. Particularly in run defense, he leaves a lot to be desired. Bonitto can struggle to disengage in this phase. Additionally, his lack of mass makes him easy to handle in tight spaces. His smaller frame and lesser length can hurt him against larger tackles. He’s also not very proficient at setting the edge. On pass-rushing reps, his lacking size and strength also show up in spurts. He isn’t overly powerful, and tackles with superior length can grab his frame and negate his rushes early. He needs a bit of space to gear up, and his hands aren’t consistently precise or forceful at this point. Because his frame presents a natural deficiency, he’ll have to keep refining his hand usage if he wants to reach his full potential. He can be more consistent in sustaining acceleration through rushes, and he can improve his overall coordination with various rushing moves. Moreover, he does occasionally overshoot optimal tackling angles. In general, Bonitto controls his physical traits well but can still work to improve in this area. |
Nik Bonitto Career at OklahomaNik needed some time to acclimate to the collegiate level. As a result, he wound up redshirting his freshman season. Yet, it wasn’t a completely inactive year for him. He managed to play in three games and gained valuable experience against Florida Atlantic, UCLA, and West Virginia. By 2019, Bonitto upped his weight to 231 pounds, and as his next season began, he slowly saw an increase in opportunity. The Oklahoma OLB ended up starting eight of the Sooners’ 14 games, alongside future NFL Draft picks like Kenneth Murray and Neville Gallimore. Over the course of the 2019 season, Bonitto amassed 43 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and 4 pass deflections. In 2020, he expanded on his improvements made in 2019 and took his game to the next level. He earned career highs in tackles for loss and sacks, accruing 11 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks, respectively. He also tacked on 33 total tackles and 2 pass deflections for good measure — all in just 10 games. The Oklahoma OLB earned second-team All-American honors as a result. Additionally, along the way, he drew All-Big 12 academic recognition as well. |
Nik Bonitto NFL Draft Player ProfileAfter his 2020 campaign, Bonitto is trending up faster than GameStop was a few months ago. He’s not quite in the top tier of the edge rusher class, but he’s a legitimate contender to crack the end of the first round if he continues to hone his traits. However, as it stands, the Florida product projects as a strong Day 2 pick who can thrive in a situation that maximizes his versatility and pass-rushing appeal. Still, Bonitto will need to continue to refine his hand usage. Furthermore, it may be in his best interest to add weight to his frame. Having said that, his smaller measurements naturally detract from his upside as a run defender. Thus, his best niche might be as a chess piece in pass defense. With his explosive first step, quick directional twitch, and awareness in zone coverage, Bonitto is a universally impactful pass defender. In a pass-happy NFL, that’s a good title to have. |
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