COLUMBIA, MO – OCTOBER 5: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Troy Trojans at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton with the 58th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs had a very active offseason to further increase their chances of representing the AFC in the Super Bowl for the third-consecutive year in 2021. But, they still had a glaring need on the defensive side of the ball, and that was at linebacker.
The Chiefs did not have to look far to bolster their corps, as they took an in-state option with their first selection of the draft.
With the 58th-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Chiefs are selecting Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton.
Chiefs: Kansas City bolsters linebacker corps by selecting Nick Bolton
This time last year, the Chiefs addressed the linebacker position by selecting Willie Gay Jr. to play alongside Anthony Hitchens. Even so, there was still a void left on the depth chart, which is now filled by Bolton. Not a bad way to use their very first pick of the annual NFL event.
Through his collegiate career, Bolton has showed off his vicious tackling abilities. That, and his vision has helped him become a tremendous run stopper. According to Pro Football Focus, Bolton had 77 run stops in the past two seasons, which is 17 more than any other player in the SEC.
Through his three seasons with the Tigers, Bolton has recorded 220 total tackles (17.5 for loss), 12 defended passes, four sacks, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown.
The missing piece in Kansas City’s defensive puzzle has finally been found in Bolton, who should position himself as the team’s linebacker of the future.