New York Giants 7 round mock Draft: wheeling and dealing, including, 2 Trades
By Ryan Messick
Round 2, Pick No. 43: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
Some of the discussion I’ve seen around potential New York Giants draft targets notes their obvious need for edge rushers, but seems to ignore that new defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale seems to value versatility over pure pass-rush skills.
Martindale is a notoriously aggressive blitzer, and he likes to bring pressure from different angles, so he needs EDGE rushers who can also drop into coverage.
Enter Nik Bonitto.
According to NFL Draft Buzz, his athleticism and coverage skills in both man and zone schemes make him highly versatile. They cite his speed in the pass rush as his key weapon, but also note his ability to set the edge against the run. He’s not going to overpower his opponents, but in a scheme that relies more on misdirection, and as a pass-rushing outside linebacker, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Bonitto has certainly been productive in his time with the Sooners. In his last two years at Oklahoma, Bonitto had 16 sacks in 21 games, while also racking up 26.5 tackles for a loss. Last year he forced one fumble and recovered two.