In his first season as a full-time player, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Bolton has provided a boost to the team’s defense — and defense in general.
Picking up where he left off in his rookie season, Bolton was among the best football shortstops in the game—and a major cog for Kansas City. power LVII victory. His physique, his football intelligence and his efforts impacted every match as he became one of the undisputed leaders of the team.
Let’s see how he did it.
Fitness in the box
As a MIKE, Poulton was responsible for the middle of the field. A machine entering, he finished 2022 with a 108 single pieces – the league Second best character. Using form and body, they grapple with blocks and bottled sprints before they can move forward.
Nick Boulton reads the race quickly and downhill. It outperforms the block of the second level of TE, and operates under the drag of the TE. After avoiding both blocks, he came face to face with McCaffrey. no profit. pic.twitter.com/WtgzB7Zwbb
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 8, 2023
Here we see a file San Francisco 49ers Play Y counter with backside guard and taut end pulling to playside. Bolton is the second full-back in the penalty area, so the tight end from the side of play is tasked with blocking him from the second level.
As he gets close to the line of scrimmage, he beats the corner taken by the tight end of the playing side to second—but then once the tight back end reaches him on the pull, he runs back down the block and is bumped into by the running back. He drops instantly to wrap up the ball-carrier with a brilliant tackle as his teammates huddle on the ball.
Bolton, one of the league’s strongest players at the first point of contact He misses only 3.7% of his tackles – Ranked 4th among linebackers who have played at least 80% of their team’s snaps – and helped hold opponents to 1,823 rushing yards, which is the NFL eighth best mark.
About good play by Bolton. He reads the play, works off the second-level block, fills in the hole, and makes the tackle. Good job also by Chenal and Karlaftis for not letting go and fighting through the blocks so they don’t get closed. Chris Jones with a good quest as well. pic.twitter.com/M37MVg1hIT
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 9, 2023
In this play, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Try turning the power to the right. The defensive line does not give up any ground. Working on the top of the blocks, Bolton flies down to stop. Defensive tackle Chris Jones comes in to help finish the play, but it’s Bolton who makes initial contact.
short term stopper
Some of Bolton’s biggest plays this season have been in short-range situations. In these moments, he used his great situational awareness (and his understanding of how to defend the line to win) to get ahead in the big moments.
Third and short. LAC runs the ballpark with some action selling dives on FB. Bolton does not bite, and takes off to climb outside, meeting Eckler in the hole. Bolton punts, drives, and clears it off the goal line for the gain and then ends the play. pic.twitter.com/wRmjKQVrOa
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 9, 2023
here , Los Angeles Chargers He faked a diving fullback before heading out to Austin Eckler on the outside. Bolton is not fooled by the fake, taking a massive angle towards the ball carrier. Although unable to bring him down immediately, Poulton digs in his heels at the goal line to gain – simply running past Eckler, pushing him back and eventually managing to tackle.
Poulton used his good short area bursts (and playing power) to make these stops – and when combined with his relentless drive, it resulted in positive defensive plays.
Short stop for Bolton against the Bills. He continues to work on the sideline, skipping blocks in a sweep of the draw. As Sneed runs from a block to deflect the outsider, Bolton flies and finishes the tackle denying any chance for the RB to earn a first down. pic.twitter.com/EezVOsvVac
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 9, 2023
On this 3rd and 1st rep, the Buffalo bills Do a toss scan. When the offensive linemen enter space, Bolton have to go over the top of the blocks at an angle to get to the ball. While the defensive backs are responsible for the inside recycling, the Boltons will be tasked with finishing play.
With the run extending more to the sideline, Bolton have to pace to get around right tackle – who has worked his way up to second. As Bolton accelerates away from the barrier, L’Jarius Sneed is able to work through a block to clear the sideline. He slows the running back to cut him back – but with his fantastic angle, Poulton is able to pull off a huge strike that keeps the play off the sticks.
Play recognition and loss processing
Bolton’s footballing IQ (and recognition of play) is among his biggest strengths. This is why he is the “green point” of defense, and is tasked with getting the unit into position before a strike. But these qualities also led to some of his biggest plays. He scored Nine handlers for a loss in 2022.
Run Blitz from Bolton. He shoots quickly through the A-gap to make a TFL. This is where he is at his best. Downhill, fast and physical football. pic.twitter.com/D52LwDCVLv
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 9, 2023
From the beginning of this play, Bolton has been playing the run all the way; Get a big jump. As he recognizes the angle the running back takes, he also realizes that the left guard is trying to work it into second level. His quick recognition allows him to get past the guard to tackle the loss.
Staying true to his coaching cues puts Bolton in positions to make those big plays – and his footballing instincts allow him to finish them off.
The WR moves tight and runs with a slant designed to steal Bolton’s eyes. does not bite. Instead, it hits the C as it swooshes out into space and reads the screen perfectly. He times the play perfectly and delivers a great hit. pic.twitter.com/DMhrMvm9fM
– Caleb James (@CJScoobs) June 9, 2023
On this third and long play, Poulton shows that he is one of the best in the league at pointing, distance and positioning. the Tennessee TitansRookie quarterback Malik Willis made his first career start, so the Giants will likely stay conservative.
Bolton notices the wide receiver’s turn inside – and then the moment he runs a mile right in front of Bolton. The Titans hope the wide will steal Bolton’s eyes — or get him to follow receiver into coverage — in order to set up a play on screen.
But Bolton ignores the wide receiver, and brings in the center who prematurely entered the second tier. This is a dead giveaway that the screen is imminent – so Bolton runs in the background, where he can run again once he catches.
In Part Two of this series, we’ll examine the areas where Bolton can improve in 2023.