SF 49ers NFL Draft: 7-round non-quarterback mock for 2021

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Missouri Tigers linebacker Nick Bolton (32) Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 4, Pick No. 116 Overall: SF 49ers select linebacker Nick Bolton, Missouri

116. player. 822. . Linebacker. Tigers . Nick Bolton

The SF 49ers already shook up their linebacker room this season by trading away Kwon Alexander to the New Orleans Saints and letting backers Fred Warner and second-year pro Dre Greenlaw handle the starting duties.

But Greenlaw, who impressed his rookie 2019 season, hasn’t quite regained the form that convinced the Niners moving on from Alexander was a good move. Even though the trade saved cap space, it’s entirely plausible San Francisco is thinking reverting Greenlaw back to a No. 3 option could be the right approach to make here.

Either way, and with depth a consideration, going after an athletic and playmaking linebacker like Missouri’s Nick Bolton makes a lot of sense.

Nick Bolton Defense & Fumbles Table
		Tackles	Def Int	Fumbles
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Tot	Loss	Sk	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	PD	FR	Yds	TD	FF
*2018	Missouri	SEC	FR	LB	10	12	10	22	1.0	1.0	0	0		0	0	0			0
2019	Missouri	SEC	SO	LB	12	74	29	103	8.5	1.0	2	38	19.0	1	7	0			0
2020	Missouri	SEC	JR	LB	7	45	31	76	7.5	2.0	0	0		0	4	1			0
Career	Missouri					131	70	201	17.0	4.0	2	38	19.0	1	11	1			0

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference
Generated 12/2/2020.

Bolton is a bit undersized at 6-foot-0 and 232 pounds, yes. But like Warner, Bolton is constantly around the ball. Seeing his 103 tackles from 2019 and 76 so far over seven games this season is a testament to that.

Plus, modern NFL linebackers aren’t required to have the same bulk as they did years ago, rather boasting above-average coverage abilities while serving as go-to defenders against the run.

Bolton does both of those things well, too, showcasing a knack for off-ball playmaking abilities against both the run and pass.