On a Kansas City Chiefs defense with All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones in the lineup, linebacker Nick Bolton may still be the biggest pillar of the unit. The team’s middle linebacker has been the signal-caller on that side of the ball since 2022, one year after flashing constantly in a limited role as a rookie.
He has garnered respect across the league. In last year’s league survey conducted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, which compiled top-10 positional rankings, Bolton ranked fourth among NFL off-ball
linebackers.
This year, Bolton ranked eighth.
8. Nick Bolton, Kansas City Chiefs
Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 26 | Last year’s ranking: 4Kansas City’s down season camouflaged another productive outing for Bolton, who recorded 10 or more tackles for loss for the second consecutive season. His 4.6% career run stop percentage leads all linebackers since he entered the NFL in 2021.
Bolton has some Warner to his game, as a field general who gets the defense in the right spots.
“He’s got instincts, toughness and production,” an AFC executive said. “His long speed in coverage is just average, which caps him a little bit.”
To illustrate his versatility, Bolton played 23 snaps in the slot cornerback position and four at safety.
It’s a strong group of players ahead of Bolton, and at least one voter respected Bolton as the third-best among his peers.
Regardless, it’s a reminder of Bolton’s flaws in pass coverage — one of the most essential parts of the position in today’s world — and a chance to point out the opportunity he has to re-claim a stronger reputation in the minds of football spectators.
When it comes to reading, reacting and stuffing run plays, Bolton is truly among the best — so there is a world where he could be a Pro Bowl, All-Pro-caliber player with more consistently sound coverage.
Anecdotally, it feels as if Bolton is hit-or-miss when dropping into coverage; it’s not that he is incapable of making plays as a coverage defender; it’s that mental (or schematic) lapses pop up too often and lead to back-breaking catch-and-runs. There are times when Bolton feels put in a tough spot, covering the slot receiver because of the play call.
If Bolton can be more consistent covering the middle of the field and the flat against tight ends and running backs, he could climb back up towards the top of this ranking by next year.
