Alabama Football: 2021 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 with trades
By Dakota Cox
Buffalo adds speed to the defense
30. Buffalo Bills: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Buffalo looks like they are ready to take over the AFC East after decades of dominance by the New England Patriots, but they are still behind the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC. Despite injuries on the offensive line, the Chiefs dominated Buffalo in the AFC Conference Championship.
With that being the case, Buffalo needs to gain speed on defense. Specifically, they need a new inside linebacker who can cover and chase down Patrick Mahomes. That’s why I have them drafting Nick Bolton in the 2021 NFL mock draft.
Bolton has the ability to play from sideline to sideline. He was the best inside linebacker in the SEC this season, and it wasn’t particularly close. If he finds the right scheme, he will be ready to impact the defense from his first day in the NFL.
Alabama football fans saw what Bolton was capable of in the first game of the 2020 season, but he excelled more as the season progressed. He will need some coaching, but he can impact games within a few seasons. This late in the first round, that’s all you can ask for out of a prospect.
The Bills have a great young nucleus, but they need to add some pieces on defense. Bolton could be that guy.