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Home / frontnfl / 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: EDGE Nik Bonitto
AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: EDGE Nik Bonitto


Big Board ranking: #88

Positional ranking: #13

 

Overview

Position: EDGE

College: Oklahoma

Class: Junior (RS)

Age: 22

 

Measurables

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 248 lbs.

Arm length: 32 1/2″

Hand size: 9 3/8”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.54 sec.

Vertical jump: 35.5”

Broad jump: 120.0”

Bench press: N/A

3-cone drill: 7.07 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.23 sec.

 

Strengths

Very athletic and versatile. Exceptional first-step quickness and speed. Great ability to dip on the edge. Excellent bend at the top of the speed rush. Rare ability to dip and bend simultaneously. Quick reaction time to make a tackle. Outstanding stop-start ability in pursuit. Very good change-of-direction skills. Ideal discipline to keep from getting out of position to play a play. Uses fluidity to evade blockers. Terrific balance and always seems to stay on his feet. Will extend and use hands to disengage. Experience rushing from both sides of the formation. Used as a rover around the line of scrimmage. Designated quarterback spy versus mobile quarterbacks. Smooth and easy movement skills in space. Very comfortable dropping in coverage. Fluid flipping his hips to get depth.

 

Weaknesses

Below-average length. Generates limited movement with strength/power. Limited strength setting the edge. Somewhat of a liability against the run in general. Gets blown back by double teams. Can get lost in traffic and pinballed around inside. Would like to see more aggression as a tackler. Pursuit hustle can be improved.

 

NFL comparison

Vic Beasley

 

Conclusion

Overall, Bonitto is a versatile defender that projects best as a 3-4 outside linebacker with limited responsibilities versus the run in Year 1. His speed on the edge and athleticism in space makes him worth of a Day 2 selection.