Nik Bonitto unleashed a standout sequence against the 49ers, recording a sack on Mac Jones on first down, sharing a second sack with a teammate, and forcing an incomplete on third down. That series essentially stifled a 49ers drive, underscoring Bonitto’s burst and game-changing potential for Denver’s edge rush. Shanahan praised Bonitto’s ability while pointing to a trio of plays where miscommunications and alignment issues benefited the Broncos’ pass rush. Bonitto, 25, is coming off a first career Pro Bowl and is eyeing a lucrative extension as Denver weighs its retooling of the front seven. The performance adds immediate fantasy interest around Denver’s defensive line depth and Bonitto’s upside if he anchors the unit in coming weeks.

The exchange highlighted the broader context: the edge pairings, Burford’s responsibilities, and Shanahan’s candid critique of the blocking miscues that opened the door for Denver’s pressure. Bonitto’s speed and technique were the difference on the play, while Shanahan stressed that Burford’s misalignments were not solely on the tackle, acknowledging Bonitto as a matchup problem. This gives Denver fans confidence in their young edge rusher and raises questions about how the Broncos will deploy their pass rush in real games, especially if Bonitto continues to flourish against both backups and higher-caliber opponents.

Bonitto’s trajectory remains a fantasy concern and a real NFL storyline: a young, athletic edge with Pro Bowl credentials who could push for a bigger role and a contract extension. Denver fans and fantasy managers will watch how the Broncos manage his snaps and how the defense leverages his impact as a cornerstone piece of the front seven going forward.