KC Chiefs select linebacker Nick Bolton with first pick of 2021 NFL Draft

The K.C. Chiefs were forced to wait until the second night of the 2021 NFL Draft before making their first of six scheduled picks, but they’re on the board for two second-round picks at present and the team just made the first of those with the choice of Nick Bolton, a linebacker out of Missouri.

Bolton bolsters perhaps the weakest overall position group on the team’s defense and should compete for immediate playing time given his level of experience for the Tigers. Last season in 10 games at Mizzou, he had 95 total tackles, eight of them for a loss, to go with 5 passes deflected and 2 sacks. Bolton was an All-SEC selection who now stays close to home.

The Chiefs are clearly committed to remaking the linebacking corps with two consecutive drafts in which they’ve used a second round pick on the position. Last year, the Chiefs selected Willie Gay Jr. with the 63rd overall pick out of Mississippi State as an Uber-athletic option who was raw but raised the ceiling at the position considerably. Together with Anthony Hitchens as the team’s top linebacker, the Chiefs now have an impressive young corps to work with in the middle.

The board was looking good for the Chiefs at other positions, including wide receiver and center, so it’s very possible that the team strikes at one of those areas with their next pick, which comes in only a few spots.

The Chiefs find themselves on the clock again at No. 63 overall in the second round, unless they make a trade.