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Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto ranked No. 38 on NFL Top 100 list | Broncos notebook

By Kyle Fredrickson August 12, 2025 | updated 15 hours ago

Broncos 49ers Football

Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto puts on his helmet during warmups prior to a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday in Santa Clara, Calif.

The Associated Press

ENGLEWOOD — Nik Bonitto is quickly becoming a household NFL name.

The fourth-year Broncos outside linebacker made his career debut on the NFL’s Top 100 list — as voted on by the players themselves — at No. 38 on Tuesday. Bonitto established himself among the league’s top edge rushers last season.

The 2022 second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma led the Broncos with a career-best 13.5 sacks. He also logged 24 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns (interception and fumble recovery). It earned Bonitto Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors.

The NFL released a video with players reacting to Bonitto’s success and evaluating his talent.

Cowboys defensive end Micah Parsons: “Bro, I just think his ability to do everything. His versatility, pick-sixes, 13.5 sacks, his ability to rush and keep developing as a rusher. It was really exciting to see.”

Colts defensive end Kwity Paye: “Top players in my position, I would probably say Nik Bonitto. He’s just very unpredictable with his rushes. He’s a good spinner. … He’s just been balling out this year.”

Bonitto joins quarterback Bo Nix (No. 64) and defensive lineman Zach Allen (No. 90) as Denver players to make the cut to this point. The NFL will continue to release player rankings through the end of August.

Five Broncos questions after preseason opener: Will Bo Nix bounce back?

Vele update

Wide receiver Devaughn Vele made an impressive leaping sideline catch Tuesday during a team period of practice. He enters Year 2 with the Broncos after logging 41 catches for 475 yards and three touchdowns last season — despite missing four games.

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Vele did not participate in mandatory minicamp but declined to specify the reason. He has worn a leg sleeve for much of training camp. On Tuesday, coach Sean Payton gave some clarity on his situation.

“He’s doing well,” Payton said. “Part of it is the maintenance on his knee (and) making sure he’s fresh. It’s a little bit easier to maintain in-season than when you’re just stacking day after day in training camp. So, we’ll continue to find his spots. He’s a big target on third down and in the red zone.”

Surtain leadership

Cornerback Pat Surtain, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was voted as a team captain last season for the first time in his pro career.

Surtain explained after practice how it has shaped his relationship with teammates moving forward.

“Taking on that role, there is always room for growth. With me, it’s definitely being more vocal,” Surtain said. “Expressing to guys not to get complacent and to always look to get better — a step better — because in this league you can’t take weeks off. You have to focus on sharpening your skill set. … My job is to make sure the guys are on top of that.”

Broncos defensive lineman Matt Henningsen reverts to season-ending injured reserve

Crawshaw praise

Rookie punter Jeremy Crashaw had an uneven NFL debut in a preseason victory over the 49ers.

The sixth-round pick out of Florida averaged 37 yards per punt, with none downed inside the 20-yard line, over three attempts. But Payton said the 49ers punter Thomas Morstead — who Payton drafted with the Saints — offered praise for Crawshaw following the game.

“(Morstead) came up to me afterwards and just went on about having a chance to meet (Crawshaw) and then watch his flexibility,” Payton recalled. “He just said … ‘Man, you really got a good one.’ So, it’s working through some of those things that we do with rookies. You guys see it, and him getting used to the game situations. He has a bright future.”

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Kyle Fredrickson

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