NFL
2022 NFL Draft: Grades for Nik Bonitto and Every Other Denver Broncos Pick
Luke Norris began his sportswriting career in 2013 and joined Sportscasting in 2020. The former Section Editor of the NFL and Motorsports sections, he now spends his time here in the role of Senior Writer-Programmer. His well-rounded sports knowledge allows him to cover the NFL, NBA, PGA Tour, MLB, boxing, WWE, and NASCAR for Sportscasting. Luke is an avid golfer who finds inspiration in the way sports can bring people together and provide a distraction from the real world. He hopes to provide a little entertainment or an escape from the real world with every article he writes, even if only for a few minutes. In addition to his work here at Sportscasting, Luke's work has appeared on The Sportster, Inquisitr, GiveMeSport, FanSided, Yahoo! Fox Sports, and Sports Illustrated.
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Since winning Super Bowl 50 and watching Peyton Manning ride off into the sunset, the Denver Broncos have failed to make the postseason, amassing a combined record of 39-58 over the past six seasons.
But after going big during the free agency and trading period, acquiring the likes of Russell Wilson and Randy Gregory, the Broncos are going to have high hopes heading into the upcoming season. And they bolstered that improved roster even further with their nine picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, the first of which didn’t come until the final pick of the second round as they gave away their earlier selections in the Wilson deal.
2022 NFL Draft picks by Denver Broncos
- No. 64 Overall: Nik Bonnitto, DE, Oklahoma
- No. 80 Overall: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
- No. 115 Overall: Damarri Mathis, CB, Pittsburgh
- No. 116 Overall: Eyioma Uwazurike, DT, Iowa State
- No. 152 Overall: Delarrin Turner-Yell, S, Oklahoma
- No. 162 Overall: Montrell Washington, KR, Samford
- No. 171 Overall: Luke Wattenberg, C, Washington
- No. 206 Overall: Matt Henningsen, DT, Wisconsin
- No. 232 Overall: Faion Hicks, CB, Wisconsin
No. 64 Overall: Nik Bonitto, DE, Oklahoma
If you have to wait all the way until No. 64 for your first pick, there are certainly worse players to get than Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto. The Broncos filled a gap and got an All-American and an All-Big 12 selection in the process. Solid choice here.
Grade: B
No. 80 Overall: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
I like this pick for the Denver Broncos. A former walk-on, Dulcich is a hard worker who should be a reliable target for Russell Wilson as a backup to or opposite Albert Okwuegbunam.
Grade: B+
Day 3 Picks
No. 115 Overall: Damarri Mathis, CB, Pittsburgh
I like this pick for Denver. Outside of Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos don’t really have many great options at cornerback, so Mathis could come in and make an impact immediately.
Grade: B+
No. 116 Overall: Eyioma Uwazurike, DT, Iowa State
Some had Uwazurike as a third-round talent, while others had him going in the fifth or sixth round. He’s a solid prospect that fills a need in Denver, so we’ll keep him right in the middle with an average grade.
Grade: C
No. 152 Overall: Delarrin Turner-Yell, S, Oklahoma
Another solid pick in the later rounds for the Broncos as they continue to bolster the defensive backfield. Turner-Yell had three picks in nine games for the Sooners in 2021.
Grade: B
No. 162 Overall: Montrell Washington, WR, Samford
Montrell Washington likely won’t catch many balls with the Broncos but could end up being an asset on special teams.
Grade: C-
No. 171 Overall: Luke Wattenberg, C, Washington
The Broncos are simply filling a need on the offensive line with this selection of Luke Wattenberg. I wouldn’t expect him in the starting lineup come Week 1.
Grade: C
No. 206 Overall: Matt Henningsen, DT, Wisconsin
This is a nice pick for Denver at No. 206. They needed some help on defense and Henningsen, who had an excellent pro day at Wisconsin, is a fine athlete.
Grade: B
No. 232 Overall: Faion Hicks, CB, Wisconsin
What Faion Hicks lacks in size at 5’10” and 185 pounds, he makes up for in speed. He ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day. Not much risk here for the Broncos.
Grade: B-
Stats courtesy of Sports Reference
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