With the 58th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs draft Nick Bolton, linebacker out of Missouri. Opposing running backs and quarterbacks will have nightmares of this guy all week long, as Bolton will look to blow people up. Let’s take a look at what Nick Bolton will bring to Kansas City.
Nick Bolton Highlights
Nick Bolton NFL Draft Profile and Stats
Nick Bolton
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 232 lbs
Age: 21
College: Missouri Tigers
Nick Bolton 2020 Stats
- Total Tackles: 95
- Solo Tackles: 53
- Tackles for Loss: 8
- Sacks: 4
- Interceptions: 0
- Fumble Recoveries: 1
Nick Bolton Draft Profile
Strengths
Nick Bolton was the leader of the Missouri Tigers defense during his time in Columbia. Many scouts believe he will be an impact player at the NFL level. A combination of character traits, playing style and physical skills mold Bolton into a likely top-50 draft pick. He has excellent linear explosiveness and works well between the tackles. His physicality is also evident on passing downs, particularly in zone coverage schemes. Needless to say, Bolton can deliver monster hits that make opposing wideouts think twice about working him over the middle of the field.
Weaknesses
Bolton will need to improve aspects of his decision-making at the NFL level. He has a tendency to miscalculate angles in pass coverage and also sometimes rushes to shoot a gap for a home run play as opposed to maintaining his position. Speed and agility are also concerns here. Bolton often gets burned in the open field and is particularly susceptible to losing lateral foot races when plays get bounced out wide.
RELATED | Full Nick Bolton NFL Draft Profile, Highlights and Stats
What to Expect From Nick Bolton in 2021
The Chiefs are damn good at finding talent. Nick Bolton quickly looks like he could be one of the steals of the draft. The linebacker is a first-round talent that fills an immediate need for Kansas City. He will have the opportunity to be a Day 1 starter. If he is not listed atop the depth chart in Week 1, he will be there soon. Bolton is a physical player that can energize the defensive unit with one hit. Physicality is one of the traits missing from the Chiefs last season, and now they found it.
