Ourlads' Profile:
2021 Guide: What Ourlads' NFL Scouting Services said about NICK BOLTON: Missouri, 6000 232 4.60. Two year starter, Frisco, TX. Athletic, high motor linebacker with remarkable instincts versus the run and pass. Has played both in the box and as an overhang player. Quick with initial read he plays downhill versus the run and fits inside gaps with precision. Can take open windows and make plays in the backfield. Usually takes good angles and makes a lot of plays squaring up in the alley. Plays with knee bend and attacks blocks with quick hands allowing him to slip blocks on the move. Explodes into tackles with knee bend and finish. Drives through tackles and can drop a ball carrier in his tracks. Has been productive blitzing, timing the snap and closing on ball carriers and quarterbacks. Excellent in zone pass coverage. Quick getting into a drop he consistently finds work and closes voids in between zones. Sees the quarterback and receiver and is quick to break on the ball. Gets his hands to a lot of balls. Makes some big hits after the catch. Can match a back out of the backfield and mirror most route breaks. Lacks ideal length and has some trouble shedding blocks versus straight up blocks. Can get covered up if he doesn’t slip the block on the move. More quick than fast he can get outrun on the perimeter if angle isn’t precise. Loves to go back door shooting backside gaps and while he makes some spectacular plays he will under run a play at times. At times runs around the block creating a gap or bad angle. Occasionally over runs the alley and has some trouble redirecting causing lunge tackles. Has had some trouble staying in phase on a wheel route out of the backfield. Has some deficiencies but makes up for it with instincts and hustle. Has three down potential and could fit as an inside linebacker in most schemes. 2020 stats: 95 T, 8 TFL, 2 sacks, 5 PBU, 2 QBH. Fourth/fifth round. (A-31 7/8, H-10 3/8, BP-24, SS-4.50, VJ-32).