The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Strapped for salary cap space entering this offseason, the Green Bay Packers may have to say goodbye to edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith.
That’s the bad news. The good news is the 2022 NFL Draft edge class is loaded.
Even if Brian Gutekunst misses out on an edge rusher there will be plenty of talented edge rushers to be had on day two and early on day three of the upcoming draft.
A player that Gutekunst could target on day two of the NFL draft is Nik Bonitto. The Oklahoma edge rusher checks in at No. 72 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Bonitto came to Oklahoma as a four-star recruit out of Florida. In 2019, Bonitto started seven games and recorded 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and one interception.
In 2020, Bonitto recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. This past season Bonitto recorded 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
“He was one of OU’s most productive edge rushers,” Josh Helmer, a contributor for Sooners Wire, said. “Over the course of his career, he was a tackle for loss and sack machine. Bonitto finished the 2021 season with a team-leading 15 tackles for loss and second-best seven sacks in 12 games.
In 10 games in 2020, Bonitto recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks, both of which were good for second that season for OU. Oklahoma liked to line Bonitto up on the edge and just let him use his speed and pass-rush skills to outmaneuver and outwork would-be blockers. Typically, Bonitto won those battles.”
Bonitto is the pressure king. According to Pro Football Focus, Bonitto recorded two or more pressures in every game over the last two seasons.
Bonitto is a twitched-up edge rusher. He has an explosive first step that gives offensive tackles fits. He screams off the edge and runs the arc with speed, displaying great closing burst to get to the quarterback.
“Speed off the edge was definitely Nik’s greatest asset as a pass rusher in college,” Helmer said. “He’s got a great motor, too. If a quarterback holds the football too long, Bonitto is getting home eventually simply because of his speed and motor.
Bonitto can be nifty working his way in between blockers to get to quarterbacks and ball-carriers, too. Simply put, he’s got a knack for finding the football. He could probably serve to add a pass-rushing trick or two to his toolbox at the next level, but the natural pass-rushing skills are there and then some.”
While Bonitto is a little undersized (240 pounds) he does an okay job setting the edge. He’s a reliable tackler and shows good hustle chasing down plays from the backside. He also has the quickness to be utilized in a spy role, like he was asked to do against Nebraska this past season.
Fit with the Packers
It was mentioned early in the article, but the Packers could be losing both Smith Bros. If that happens the Packers will need to find Rashan Gary a new running mate. Even if one of them is brought back, they’ll still need to address the position at some point in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Bonitto can be utilized as a designated pass rusher during his rookie season. He has such a quick get-off that will stress NFL offensive tackles.
During his collegiate career in Norman, Bonitto was consistently putting pressure on the quarterback. He may not always get the sack, but he’s going to make the quarterback uncomfortable.
Put Bonitto opposite Gary, with Kenny Clark in the middle, and Bonitto is going to see a lot of one-on-one situations. With his quickness, he could turn a lot of those pressures into sacks.
“He’s a natural pass rusher that will be able to use his speed to beat would-be blockers on the edge,” Helmer said. “Rushing the quarterback is always at a premium and Bonitto can deliver that in spades.
If Bonitto is available in the late second round or early third, I’d draft Nik in a heartbeat strictly based off of his ability to get to opposing quarterbacks. Whether it’s an outright sack or a quarterback hurry, Bonitto has a knack for delivering those types of plays in important moments.”
