Originally Posted by :
Bolton played in all 13 games as a true freshman (22 tackles, one sack) after earning Dallas Morning News first-team all-state honors at Lone Star High School (130 tackles, 16 for loss, five interceptions). He went from promising youngster to SEC star in 2019, earning first-team all-conference honors after leading the league with 8.9 tackles per game (107 total, 7.5 for loss), intercepting two passes and breaking up eight others in 12 starts. He was named second-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-SEC and a Butkus Award finalist in 2020, leading his defense with 95 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss (including two sacks), while breaking up five passes in 10 starts. Bolton's father, Carlos, played football at Louisiana Tech. -- by Chad Reuter
Overview
When you think about strong, forceful inside linebackers, Bolton is the type of player you might be envisioning. He's going to fall below typical NFL starter standards from a size standpoint, but his rugged frame and forceful demeanor help make up for it. Play recognition and pursuit instincts help carry him to the football and he's a message-sending striker when he gets the runner squared up. He has functional short-area burst between the tackles but will struggle to run down the outside run if he's not close enough to the action. He will need to lean heavier on his instincts to help speed him up because of size and speed limitations. Bolton plays with good field recognition when dropping into zone and has a history of making plays on the football in coverage. He's a three-down linebacker who can make an immediate contribution on special teams and has the potential to become a future starter. Strengths
Very tough with a physical edge.
Plays with demeanor teams look for in the middle.
Field-savvy with instincts to diagnose misdirection.
Identifies and communicates.
Heavy hands with good pop to take on blocks.
Pursues ball-carrier with patience and leverage.
Fluid alterations to his pursuit angles.
Excellent feel for attack timing downhill.
Meets runners with violent collisions in the hole.
Strikes like he's trying to send a message.
Great awareness and ballhawking as spot dropper.
Has enough man-cover talent to play on all three downs.
Thrived on kick- and punt-cover teams early in his career.
Weaknesses
Average lateral quickness traps him behind climbing blocks.
Inconsistent to strike and separate from blockers.
Needs to improve angles to elude box traffic.
Might need to take a few more chances as a pro.
Top-end speed appears below average.
Loses ground when pursuit flows wide.
Below-average lateral agility as open-field tackler.
Will have to play quicker to deal with NFL slashers.
Well, I do love the attitude and I’ve always enjoyed hard hits. I hope when we look back he warrants the pick, even though my socks weren’t knocked off initially. [Reply]
His straight line speed is adequate. You want your backers to have 4.6 or lower speed. He’s good there.
It’s the 3 cone and 20 yard shuttle that are worrisome. Does he have stiff hips? Because Ragland, Hitchens and Wilson all had better times.
And yes we say that doesn’t matter until we bitch about these missing tackles in the flat like Hitchens vs the Patriots a few years ago (dear God) bc of stiff hips.
I still trust this pick but it’s okay to have questions. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19:
anyone think Bolton could simply take Niemann’s role this year?
He’s clearly really smart and more athletic, physical than Niemann. Why not? I think that’d be a great role for his rookie year if they don’t trust Gay to call the defense out of the dime.
man, you watch these highlights....
I don't see how he tested 'slow'.
It looks like he's moving at an entirely different speed than everyone around him, and a lot of that tape is against top flight talent.
Now maybe that's just superior football diagnosis on his part that allows him to 'play fast', but damn.
I see no reason why we see Niemann on anything but special teams other than injury. [Reply]
Originally Posted by MAHOMO 4 LIFE!:
After reading up on him how did he last till 58? He seems like an awesome player and someone who can play all 3 downs
Apparently he is not running a 4.3 40 which makes him not a good player. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tredadda:
Apparently he is not running a 4.3 40 which makes him not a good player.
I remember hearing some analysis last year about the WRs. They tracked their actual speed on the field. Ruggs was the fastest player in college football by a lot.
I’d be curious to see this with Bolton as well. [Reply]
[QUOTE=In58men;15656706]Do people not understand that you can train yourself to run faster?[/QUO. Some players play faster with pads than others, I think that could be part of it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefs Pantalones:
Not sure who that is but I bet he’s taller and can cover better than Bolton
So you're really trying to shit on the #3 ranked ILB in this draft? The one who, as others have already said, was projected as a late first round pick by the majority of analysts?
You had best unfuck yourself and get with the team