The Denver Broncos have been building a pipeline from Norman, Oklahoma.
According to NFL.com's Chad Reuter's latest seven-round mock draft, the Broncos are projected to take Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman with the 85th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which starts Thursday night.
The Broncos already had four former Sooners on their roster last year, including linebacker Nik Bonitto, wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr., offensive lineman Ben Powers and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell.
Denver Broncos projected to draft Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman, reuniting him with Nik Bonitto
If Reuter's prediction proves true, then Stutsman and Bonitto would again share a defensive backfield. Stutsman got to OU in 2021, which was Bonitto's final college season. After that season, the Broncos drafted Bonitto in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Although just a freshman, Stutsman still played in 10 games that 2021 season, recording 38 tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and two forced fumbles. Bonitto was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year by Pro Football Focus and was a Bednarik Award semifinalist during that season in which the Sooners went 11-2.
Since, Bonitto has emerged as one of the Broncos' best defenders. Last season, he was third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks, along with 30 tackles, two forced fumbles and a pick-6.
NIK BONITTO PICK 6⬇️🔥
— Let's Talk Broncos (@TheLTBPodcast) December 3, 2024
Broncos on top 21-10 pic.twitter.com/oMaJyONlDk
When Bonitto left for the NFL, it opened the door for Stutsman to rise as the Sooners' star at linebacker. He started every single game the next three seasons once Bonitto was gone, tallying 37 career starts.
During his 47 career games, Stutsman had 376 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and eight pass breakups. Stutsman's 376 career tackles rank ninth in OU history. As a senior, he was a consensus All-American and Butkus Award finalist, surpassing Bonitto's accolades.
The NFL Draft will start with the first round at 7p.m. CT Thursday on ABC and ESPN. The second and third rounds, when Stutsman and OU safety Billy Bowman Jr. are projected to hear their names called, will start at 5 p.m. CT Friday. The NFL Draft will conclude with the final four rounds on Saturday.
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