2021 Nfl Draft Prospect Profile
Bolton makes up for some of his shortcomings with terrific effort, along with his motor operating hot all sport he finds himself across the soccer on virtually each play. Bolton flashes the flexibility to anticipate and take away routes coming in behind him, he can be glorious in area, if he did this constantly. In man protection he will get the job done in condensed spaces, staying square and getting his arms on the opponent at the high of the route without getting grabby.
Fontenot will surely have his ducks in a row come draft evening, and the previous Missouri Tiger could possibly be a different kind of off-ball linebacker than Falcons fans are used to. His speed isn’t going to test in the four.4s, and possibly he will not hit four.5s, however he shall be within the low 4.6s a minimum of, which is adequate. Inside linebackers like Josey Jewell have proven to be helpful of their role even when testing within the 4.7s.
Nick Bolton, Lb, Missouri
We won’t know his true testing numbers until his pro day, but outdoors of his peak, Bolton does fit the typical weight and forty instances among top-degree LBs. It’s a bit short-sided to use a participant’s dimension as the only purpose he received’t do nicely in the NFL. The fact that he is likely one of the best linebackers within the SEC, which is the top-tier Power 5 conference, ought to inform you all you have to know. If there was ever doubt if Nick Bolton may tackle, look no additional than his 2019 season. Bolton would common eight.9 tackles per sport in 2019, according to mutigers.com, which was finest within the SEC.
He solely visited Kansas and Missouri and decided rather shortly that he needed to be a Tiger. As a real freshman, Bolton played in all 13 video games, impressing on special groups along with his physicality and tackling. He ought to be a reliable contributor on protection, but whether he has beginning upside will depend on the defense he lands in. Bolton will need to be in a defense during which the defensive line eats blocks and permits the linebackers to rally to the ball in run defense, as well as a zone-heavy pass coverage. As a real freshman at Missouri in 2018, he played in all thirteen video games recording 22 tackles and one sack.
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Bolton is a group chief, solid general athlete, and fluid mover; when he flips his hips or adjustments path, he doesn’t look robotic. The finish of his final season was haunted by a nagging undisclosed harm, nevertheless it didn’t cease him from taking part in. His blitzing expertise, together with spy capability, enable him for use throughout the sphere; however if Bolton is positioned anywhere however inside linebacker, it might be a lifeless giveaway of a blitz.
When Bolton reads the outlet appropriately, he makes use of his hit power to disclaim any possibility of operating by way of him . This is his robust suit compared to his coverage, which shall be mentioned later. The Steelers are a kind of teams, and inside linebacker is a necessity for them since Vince Williams became a cap casualty. Bolton might step in to be a serviceable LB as a rookie but his landing spot will play an enormous position in figuring out that.