KC Chiefs who could make their first Pro Bowl in 2022

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - OCTOBER 10: Willie Gay Jr. #50 and Nick Bolton #54 of the Kansas City Chiefs react after sacking Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the second half of a game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Nick Bolton (54). Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Bolton, Linebacker

Nick Bolton was a pleasant surprise from last season’s rookie class for the Chiefs. Over the second half of the season, Bolton was one of the best defenders on the entire team. According to Pro Football Focus ($), after Week 7, he earned a PFF overall defensive grade of 80.6 last season, which was good enough for 5th among all linebackers.

Bolton is not the most well-rounded linebacker in the NFL (yet) but he is certainly capable of being a great player on a defense that is loaded with youth. Many fans believe he is capable of being one of the young leaders on a defense that lost a lot of leadership and experience from the linebacker position this offseason. He was great at defending the run last season, but if he could hone his coverage ability (with improved athleticism), then it would not surprise me if the former Mizzou standout developed into one of the best young linebackers in all of football.

Nick Bolton was a borderline Pro Bowl player during the last second half of last season, so it would make sense that he finishes what he started last season and is the first Chiefs off-ball linebacker to be named to the Pro Bowl since Derrick Johnson in 2015.

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