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Nik Bonitto * EDGE * OU

Mar 30, 2022 at 5:38 PM
I'm all in on Nik Bonitto as the speed rusher the Niners needs to compliment Bosa from the opposite side. Some would say he's a 3-4 OLB only but I strongly disagree, most NFL defenses nowadays runs some sort of a hybrid 34/43 defense where OLB and EDGE are interchangeable, Nickle formation is also becoming a base formation in this now pass heavy league. Nik should be able to fill that speedy, quick twitched and bendy pass rushing need that Dee Ford was supposed to bring to the table. He's a little undersized but he weighed in at almost 250 lbs at the Combine and still tested well. Maybe the Niners use him as a pass rushing specialist on obvious passing downs alas Aldon Smith type role in his rookie year, give him a year or two in the NFL strength and conditioning program before he becomes a fulltime EDGE player, right when Ebukam's contract expires. The Niners are pretty set on base formation with Bosa, AA, Kinlaw, Ebukam/Hyder to defend the run so Nik doesn't have to start right away. What they're missing is that speed and bend around the edge when hunting the QB. Nik Bonitto is my perfect candidate to fill that role. He's very explosive and quick off the line, first step is elite proven by his 1.53 (10yd split), extremely physical, very bendy, and if he's not getting after the QB he's pretty good in coverage. Aside from rushing the QB, his most underrated skill that I really like is he's really good in spying the QB, this league is starting to favor mobile and athletic QBs more than pocket passers and what better counter to have an Edge than can spy really well without coming off the field to be replaced by a LB/S. TBH IMO, I think teams are a lot higher on Bonitto than most people are and there's a good chance he might go before our first pick #61, might have to move up if he's the pick. I see some comp him to Clay Matthews and Bruce Ervin but I think he's a lot closer to Haason Reddick as a development player to becoming a star Edge Rusher!! Nik the pick!!

Measurements/RAS/Winning Rate.

Getting after the QB:

Setting the Edge, Defending the Run.

Mar 30, 2022 at 5:43 PM
Damn you really do love him

I agree with everything you said and he could be a very safe pick at #61
[ Edited by irishluder on Mar 30, 2022 at 5:46 PM ]
Mar 30, 2022 at 5:44 PM
Wouldn't be mad at all
Mar 30, 2022 at 5:55 PM
I'm on board too! Kid would be perfect oppo Bosa
🤙🏾
Mar 30, 2022 at 6:10 PM
will get drafted at #60, lol
Mar 30, 2022 at 6:42 PM
On board with him as the pick,
Mar 30, 2022 at 6:56 PM
Best chance to add pass rush toward the end of the 2nd round
Mar 30, 2022 at 8:20 PM
Like you started off with, they mention him fitting a 3-4 scheme and obviously that was a real concern back 10-20 years ago, but it seems like the league is starting to run so much of a mixed bag of different formations its like it doesn't really matter anymore, similar for the DB's and Safeties as well.

What do y'all think... does it matter anymore or just pick the best player and play him in the spots where his style of play matches the game flow?
Mar 30, 2022 at 8:23 PM
My draft crush this year. Unleash the BoBos.
Mar 30, 2022 at 8:53 PM
Originally posted by irishluder:
Like you started off with, they mention him fitting a 3-4 scheme and obviously that was a real concern back 10-20 years ago, but it seems like the league is starting to run so much of a mixed bag of different formations its like it doesn't really matter anymore, similar for the DB's and Safeties as well.

What do y'all think... does it matter anymore or just pick the best player and play him in the spots where his style of play matches the game flow?

Honestly IMO, it still matters but not as much as before. Other than obvious positions with a specific type of skillset and body structure like OL, DT, QB and CB. I think in this new era of football most positions are becoming more and more interchangeable with hybrid schemes, for instance with OLB/EDGE, SS/LB, WR/RB, TE/WR, TE/FB. The NFL is becoming more position less than say 10-20 years ago. Every athlete trains now with more advanced facilities and better resources versus 10-20 years ago where strength, speed and toughness is good enough to make it and training on their own at high school fields or parks by themselves. So I'm trending more on the pick the best player and play him to his strengths and style in order to be successful. But to each their own.
Mar 30, 2022 at 9:53 PM
He looks good on tape but he also looks kind of small to be playing DE in a 4-3.
Mar 30, 2022 at 9:56 PM
Originally posted by 808niner4lyphe:
Originally posted by irishluder:
Like you started off with, they mention him fitting a 3-4 scheme and obviously that was a real concern back 10-20 years ago, but it seems like the league is starting to run so much of a mixed bag of different formations its like it doesn't really matter anymore, similar for the DB's and Safeties as well.

What do y'all think... does it matter anymore or just pick the best player and play him in the spots where his style of play matches the game flow?

Honestly IMO, it still matters but not as much as before. Other than obvious positions with a specific type of skillset and body structure like OL, DT, QB and CB. I think in this new era of football most positions are becoming more and more interchangeable with hybrid schemes, for instance with OLB/EDGE, SS/LB, WR/RB, TE/WR, TE/FB. The NFL is becoming more position less than say 10-20 years ago. Every athlete trains now with more advanced facilities and better resources versus 10-20 years ago where strength, speed and toughness is good enough to make it and training on their own at high school fields or parks by themselves. So I'm trending more on the pick the best player and play him to his strengths and style in order to be successful. But to each their own.

Yeah thats where Im at too, that was a good point about LB/SS and our own Deebo WR/RB or Waller from the Raiders, a TE body playing WR, the league is changing for the better when it comes to prospects, especially at QB... letting these college guys come in and play from the shotgun or pistol till they can feel comfortable playing under the center.
Mar 30, 2022 at 10:11 PM
Depending on what happens with Adam Anderson's legal issues, Bonito is probably the most explosive and bendy speed rusher in the class. Doesn't have the size or length that you want. As far as his testing numbers, for edge I prioritize 10 yard split, vert and 3C. Absolutely elite 10, but just good but not elite vert and 3C. He is your traditional 34OLB but that doesn't really matter in today's day and age because he's gonna be a designated pass rusher, at least to start his career. Going on 23 to start the season, I don't think he has room to get too much bigger or stronger. Primarily wins (a lot in college) out of a 2-point stance as a stand up speed rusher. Explosion off the ball consistently puts tackles in a bad position almost immediately off the snap, where he can take advantage either around the edge dipping under the tackle with a dip+rip, or with an inside counter. In the games I watch, I don't see much speed to power if any at all, and while he attempts to use his hands (2 hand swipe is a go to), he lacks the strength to get off blocks if the tackle is able to land a solid punch or worse, engulf him with size/length. Not a ton of combo moves and so at this point, unless a team is wanting to drop him into coverage, I can't see him as a top 50 pick, he's too 1-dimensional as a rusher and can't see the field on all 3 downs. I am personally a fan of speed rushers, but they have to also have some speed to power (whereas technique can be taught), and I don't know if at his age and size if it'll ever happen for him. He might be Vic Beasley, he might be Hasaan Reddick.
[ Edited by adrianlesnar on Mar 30, 2022 at 10:13 PM ]
Mar 31, 2022 at 5:29 AM
Originally posted by adrianlesnar:
Depending on what happens with Adam Anderson's legal issues, Bonito is probably the most explosive and bendy speed rusher in the class. Doesn't have the size or length that you want. As far as his testing numbers, for edge I prioritize 10 yard split, vert and 3C. Absolutely elite 10, but just good but not elite vert and 3C. He is your traditional 34OLB but that doesn't really matter in today's day and age because he's gonna be a designated pass rusher, at least to start his career. Going on 23 to start the season, I don't think he has room to get too much bigger or stronger. Primarily wins (a lot in college) out of a 2-point stance as a stand up speed rusher. Explosion off the ball consistently puts tackles in a bad position almost immediately off the snap, where he can take advantage either around the edge dipping under the tackle with a dip+rip, or with an inside counter. In the games I watch, I don't see much speed to power if any at all, and while he attempts to use his hands (2 hand swipe is a go to), he lacks the strength to get off blocks if the tackle is able to land a solid punch or worse, engulf him with size/length. Not a ton of combo moves and so at this point, unless a team is wanting to drop him into coverage, I can't see him as a top 50 pick, he's too 1-dimensional as a rusher and can't see the field on all 3 downs. I am personally a fan of speed rushers, but they have to also have some speed to power (whereas technique can be taught), and I don't know if at his age and size if it'll ever happen for him. He might be Vic Beasley, he might be Hasaan Reddick.

I agree with all of this...while I won't be upset if he's the pick. I don't see him as a 2nd rd guy (much prefer 3rd rd). Like you said way too 1-dimensional. He's a DPR guy and I'm with you I love a speed rush, but you gotta have some sort of speed to power. I like to see some violence in the hands and guys like him and Jackson don't really have that right now.

Vic Beasley is a good comp
[ Edited by NYniner85 on Mar 31, 2022 at 5:31 AM ]
Mar 31, 2022 at 12:27 PM
  • jimrat
  • Veteran
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For some reason I pictured him being a white guy from Wisconsin lol
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