Chiefs' free agency decision on Nick Bolton could be aided by strong crop of free agent and 2025 NFL draft linebackers
The Kansas City Chiefs have a decision to make on 2021 NFL draft pick Nick Bolton during the 2025 NFL free agency period. Bolton, who Steve Spagnuolo has dubbed the Patrick Mahomes of the defense, is one of the Chiefs' 20 pending unrestricted free agents. The 24-year-old has strongly hinted at his desire to stay in Kansas […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have a decision to make on 2021 NFL draft pick Nick Bolton during the 2025 NFL free agency period.
Bolton, who Steve Spagnuolo has dubbed the Patrick Mahomes of the defense, is one of the Chiefs' 20 pending unrestricted free agents. The 24-year-old has strongly hinted at his desire to stay in Kansas City, but will that be the best move for the Chiefs?
Fans remain divided on whether Kansas City should opt to re-sign Bolton or let him walk in free agency. Brett Veach's decision might ultimately be aided by the linebackers available in free agency and those available in the 2025 NFL draft.
How does the 2025 free agency linebacker class stack up?
The depth of talent in the free agent linebacker class could help or hurt the Chiefs' chances of retaining Bolton. Given the other players on the market, he might not be able to command a top salary. On the other hand, our projections from before the 2024 NFL season show that a contract extension could cost Kansas City a lot. Should he reach free agency, I'm not sure Kansas City wouldn't feel comfortable going after one of the many options available alongside him, in an effort to save money at a non-premium position.
Eagles LB Zack Baun sits squarely atop the class after having the best season of his career en route to a Super Bowl LIX victory. San Francisco 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw is an intriguing top option, but his lack of playtime in 2024 after an Achilles injury could impact his market.
Washington Commanders LB Bobby Wagner could be a veteran stopgap option, but it's hard to imagine him having a strong desire to leave Dan Quinn after the season they just had. Buccaneers LB Lavonte David is another veteran option, but he isn't quite the player he once was.
Seattle Seahawks LB Ernest Jones could be looking at his fourth team in less than a full calendar year after being traded from the Rams to the Titans to the Seahawks across the 2024 NFL season. That might be one Kansas City opts to avoid.
New York Jets LB Jamien Sherwood might be the prize of the class when it's all said and done. The safety-to-linebacker convert is the perfect new-age linebacker in a pass-heavy NFL.
Las Vegas Raiders LB Robert Spillane, Miami Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson, and Dallas Cowboys LB Eric Kendricks round out the free agency class. There are plenty of options, though all of them clearly won't make it to free agency or be quite the dynamo that Bolton is in Steve Spagnuolo's scheme.
Could the Chiefs look to the 2025 NFL draft to replace Nick Bolton?
Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell is a surefire first-round talent and could be followed closely by South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight Jr., as both possess incredible burst and quickness. But the Chiefs don't necessarily need to stick to Round 1 to find linebacker talent. After all, Bolton was a second-round draft pick himself.
A to Z Sports composite mock draft data shows that up to 12 linebackers could be selected in the top 150 picks in the 2025 NFL draft. This is to say, the Chiefs will have the opportunity to go out and grab a linebacker who can help reinforce the position should Bolton walk in free agency. With Leo Chenal in the final year of his contract in 2025, it might be necessary regardless of Bolton's pending free agent status.
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