The Denver Broncos had been long searching for a defensive player who could close out games in the clutch like Von Miller used to, and Nik Bonitto emerged to be that guy in 2024. As the Broncos go into 2025, their outside linebacker room has competitive depth behind Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper.

Denver Broncos Training Camp Preview: Nik Bonitto leads the outside linebacker room

Going into training camp, the Denver Broncos two starters are solidified at outside linebacker. Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper became the first edge rushing duo to achieve double-digit sacks since Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in 2018.

Denver’s defense had been in a drought of not having a double-digit sack producer for six straight seasons until Bonitto and Cooper took over as the leaders of the room.

Cooper earned himself a contract extension last season, while Bonitto is on the cusp of earning himself a large payday this season, at some point.

Behind them, Denver’s depth is filled with competitiveness and talent.

Broncos position battle to watch for at outside linebacker

Jonah Elliss, Dondrea Tillman, and Que Robinson really headline the focus of the position battle here at outside linebacker as camp begins next week.

While Denver has other players like Andrew Farmer and undrafted rookie Johnny Walker Jr., the focus should and will likely remain on the three names listed above.

Elliss was drafted with premier capital in the 2024 NFL Draft, while Tillman emerged as an undrafted gem last season. Elliss and Tillman became a reliable duo, each producing five sacks last season, combining for ten total despite playing a limited number of snaps in comparison to Cooper and Bonitto.

Both players played well against the run and in the pass rush department, helping make the outside linebacker position a unit of strength for Sean Payton.

Enter Que Robinson. The Broncos drafted him in the 2025 NFL Draft in the fourth round, and he was a standout player during the team’s offseason program.

Granted, there weren’t pads or contact, but Robinson’s pass rush and athleticism were on full display. If he can carry that over into practice when the pads come on, it will almost be a guarantee that Denver carries five outside linebackers on the 53-man roster.

Worst case scenario, Robinson contributes solely as a special teams player as a rookie, although it seems unlikely, he’d be limited to just that.

This position room very much seems like a battle for snaps, not roster spots, between Elliss, Tillman, and Robinson.