Sean Payton said his team is looking to upgrade at linebacker, and Nick Bolton fits the Denver Broncos defense.

“We’ll look closely through the middle,” Payton explained to Kay Adams in the lead up to the Super Bowl. “Middle linebacker, safety, maybe a few other positions.”

Bolton isn’t a star, but he’s a “do-it-all” kind of linebacker the Broncos could certainly use.

Nick Bolton fits the Denver Broncos defense in need of better linebacker play

Bolton makes plays at and behind the line of scrimmage in run support, and he’s a solid cover linebacker, too.

While Denver has enjoyed solid tackling from their middle linebackers, they’ve been without a guy who can cover tight ends and running backs well.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen thinks Nick Bolton fits the Denver Broncos’ defense, too.

“Bolton would be a big upgrade for Vance Joseph’s defense in Denver,” Bowen wrote. “Bolton fits with the Broncos as a downhill thumper against the run — he had 11 tackles for loss last season. In coverage, Bolton lacks elite second-level range, but he has four career interceptions.”

At 24 years old, he still has an opportunity to grow his game, and he’s already been very good for the Chiefs, as a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Pro Football Focus gave him a 65.4 overall grade (89th among ILBs) and a 66.1 coverage grade (40th) for 2024. Those are down from his 2022 season, when he earned a 75.7 overall and 73.8 in coverage.

All to say, he had a strong 2024 season but he hasn’t reached his full potential yet.

Last year he played 87% of the snaps for Kansas City’s defense. Bolton totaled 106 combined tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 6 passes defended, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. He also has four interceptions over the last three seasons.

Spotrac projects his value at $12.3 million a year. If the Broncos decide to move on from Alex Singleton, they could save $5.5M against the cap, which would bring down the net number for Bolton.

Broncos have some decisions to make at ILB

What Denver does with Alex Singleton is a huge first step. He’s entering the last year of his deal and went through an ACL injury last season. They could stick with him for one more year, and still sign Bolton to play alongside him.

Or they could move on from Singleton.

The next decision is with Cody Barton, who played 93% of the team’s defensive snaps last year. He’s currently a free agent and Over The Cap predicts he’ll bring in $10.3M per year.

While Bolton is a better cover linebacker, Barton is a run-stuffer. He earned a 79.9 run defense grade from PFF last year, 28th-best among ILBs. So, those two could possibly compliment each other well, if that’s the direction Denver wants to go.

Then, there’s Justin Strnad, who just finished his rookie contract. The Broncos could likely sign him for a cap-friendly $3M AAV, and if so, he would provide valuable depth and special teams play.

With the increase in the salary cap, the Broncos now have $41.8M to play with. If they signed Bolton and Barton to those mentioned numbers, and cut Singleton, that would use $17.1M. It would leave Denver $24.7M for a safety, possibly a veteran receiver and running back, plus draft picks. They’d all have to be on the lower end in terms of pay, though.

With multiple positions of need, the Broncos have to decide how they want to fill them and where to spend the money available.

Nick Bolton fits the Denver Broncos defense, but he would be about 29% of the team’s unused cap space.