Cleveland Browns: Five first-round targets in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Kyle Edmond
Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
The Cleveland Browns have been reliant on the play of free-agent signee B.J. Goodson at linebacker, but Goodson is set to become a free agent once again and could leave a gaping hole in the defense. With Goodson missing the game against the Jets, it was obvious something was missing.
Seeing the success of Goodson in the system could implore the Browns to identify a player similar in style that is a bit younger and on a deal longer than one-year. Even if Goodson re-signs, the Browns will still need help at the position.
This where Nick Bolton could step up in both situations. A junior at Missouri, Bolton has stats that are a near mirror to what Goodson has been able to do in Cleveland. He doesn’t rack up the sacks or snag interception after interception, but is rather a strong force in the middle of the field that tallies tackles upon tackles.
Seeing consistent playing time each of the last two seasons at Missouri, Bolton totaled 103 tackles during the 2019 season over 12 games and another 95 over 10 games this year. That calculates to 8.6 tackles per game in 2019 and 9.5 in 2020. For comparison, Goodson has 91 tackles over 14 games this year, averaging 6.5 per game.
The Cleveland Browns will be looking for a long-term anchor to the defense in the 2021 NFL Draft and that’s exactly what Nick Bolton would provide. He doesn’t light up the stat sheet, but he finds the ball carrier and brings them down with the best in the country.