3 Chiefs rookies with most to prove this offseason for Kansas City to get back to Super Bowl
1. Nick Bolton, middle linebacker
The idea that Kansas City’s highest draft pick of the offseason should appear on this list isn’t a surprise. NIck Bolton also happens to play a position of need for the Chiefs. If he can earn meaningful snaps at linebacker as a rookie it could really add to the versatility and physicality of Steve Spagnulo’s defense.
Bolton’s ability to earn playing time as a rookie will depend on his ability to learn to diagnose plays at the pro level. He played in attack mode almost all of the time during his collegiate career at Missouri. Playing with that sort of reckless abandon can lead to mistakes in the NFL.
The good news for Bolton is that Kansas City tends to let their linebackers attack the line of scrimmage on a heavy percentage of downs. He is at his best when he’s permitted to get downhill and wreak havoc in the opposing backfield. The Chiefs’ defense can benefit from his ability to create negative plays for the opposing offense.
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Bolton doesn’t need to be an instant starter to be deemed a successful rookie, but he should be aiming for immediate playing time from the word go. The more flash plays he can make the more snaps he’s going to get in 2021. Bolton’s ability to carve out a role on this defense will be vital to Kansas City’s hopes of making a deep postseason run.