2021 NFL Draft: Jets, Jaguars make trades in new 2021 NFL mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
Raiders defense strengthens
Scouting Report. LB. Missouri. Nick Bolton. player. Pick Analysis. 23. 28
The Las Vegas Raiders have made some shocking picks the last couple of years, specifically taking Clelin Ferrell in 2019 with the fourth pick. However, those picks seem to have worked out as the team is showing improvement. The next step will be adding another linebacker to the defense. They’ve invested in the defensive line and the secondary over the last two drafts and now need to do the same with the linebackers.
Nick Kwiatkoski and Raekwon McMillan are both solid linebackers, but adding Nick Bolton to the unit could really make a difference. Bolton is a tackling machine, logging 103 during the 2020 season, but he can also disrupt in other ways. During the 2019 season, he also had two interceptions, including taking one for a touchdown, while also logging seven pass defenses.
Bolton has also been able to get into the backfield in addition to his coverage skills. During the 2019 season, he registered 8.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
Combining his pass coverage and run-stuffing ability, not to mention his pure talent for tackling, Bolton is panning out to be one of the better linebackers of this class and would fit well into what the Raiders are trying to become.