Nick Bolton NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for Kansas City Chiefs LB

HEIGHT: 5'11 1/8"

WEIGHT: 237

POSITIVES

—Very fast linebacker when he triggers downhill.

—Violent tackler who limits yards after contact when meeting ball-carriers on the edge.

—Runs his feet through tackles and does not shy away from contact.

—Has low pad level to and through the tackle.

—Knockback finisher who visibly swings the momentum of his defense.

—Great late in the down tempoing ball-carriers.

NEGATIVES

—Slow to trigger, which appears to be a confidence issue, as it comes and goes.

—Goes around, not through, blocks.

—Length and height cause issues that cannot be fixed.

—Does not show urgency as a blitzer.

2020 STATISTICS

95 TKL, 8 TFL, 2 SK, 5 PBU, 1 FR

NOTES

—Father played college football at Louisiana Tech.

—Was named first-team All-SEC in back-to-back seasons.

OVERALL

Despite his SEC experience, superathlete Nick Bolton does not look confident enough in what he's seeing in-game to trigger early in the down, but his late-in-the-down explosion still earned him All-SEC honors. Bolton thrives through contact and violence and has athleticism that NFL teams would beg for, but he still has room to grow as a professional.

His professional career hinges on his ability to see plays more quickly, as he will be tested often should he not develop in that area. Bolton has the upside to be a starting "Will" or "Mike" linebacker in the NFL, but he is not ready to take that responsibility quite yet.

GRADE: 7.51/10 (Round 3)

OVERALL RANK: 88/300

POSITION RANK: LB8

PRO COMPARISON: Danny Trevathan

Written by B/R NFL Scout Justis Mosqueda