NFL Draft Profile: Slade Bolden, Wide Receiver, Alabama Crimson Tide

NFL Draft profile scouting report for Alabama WR Slade Bolden

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#14
Pos: FS
Ht: 6041
Wt: 220
Hand: 918
Arm: 3300
Wing: 7968
40: 4.59
Vertical: 38
Broad: 1011
3 Cone: 6.9
Bench: NA
Shuttle: 4.32
DOB: 1/26/1999
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
High School: Marist School

Slade Bolden
Alabama Crimson Tide

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One Liner: 

Slade Bolden is a slot wide receiver that understands coverages but is limited physically/athletically.

Pros: 

Slade Bolden is a quick slot wide receiver that knows how to attack leverage. He understands zone coverage and knows how to find soft spots in all types of zones. Mental processing is good and identifies coverages quickly and makes good adjustments. He runs good routes on horizontal breaks and 45 degree breaks. He is at his best working off a hop and a skip where he can explode off that cut. He runs good option routes and does a nice job changing pace and stride length throughout his route stem. He possesses good footwork in the slot. He is unselfish when running routes to clear out or take away Db’s to open up other WR’s. He is very competitive and is a very willing blocker. He is solid after the catch making a guy miss with his quickness. He is reliable with his hands and fearless working the MOF.

Cons: 

Slade Bolden is undersized and lacks overall explosiveness and long speed. He is limited to the slot and won’t have a role on the outside at the next level. He will only make an impact in the short to intermediate game. He needs to work back on his curl routes and struggles to sink his hips on those routes. He has a limited catch radius and struggles to adjust in contested situations. Overall he had limited production at Alabama. He can struggle to beat man to man coverage.

Summary: 

Slade Bolden projects to be a practice squad player that needs to make an impact on special teams to be on the roster. He is a smart route runner and will take advantage of soft spots in zone coverage. He lacks the size and explosiveness you look for in a wide receiver. He needs to work on his blocking but gives a lot of effort.

Background:

Born on January 26th, 1999, Slade Bolden attended West Monroe High School in Louisiana as a multi-sport athlete in football and baseball. He was a versatile weapon in high school, playing quarterback and running back. Bolden rushed for 1,460 yards and 20 touchdowns his senior year while also throwing for 1,622 yards and 20 passing touchdowns. He was rated a three-star all-purpose back by the 247Sports Composite in the 2018 class. Bolden committed to Alabama over offers from top programs such as Arizona State, Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss, Washington, and Tennessee. He quickly transitioned to receiver based on his skillset and the depth at running back on the team. Bolden redshirted his freshman season but managed to see limited action in 2019 on special teams and at wide receiver. He brought in 24 receptions for 270 yards and a touchdown during the 2020 season, which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bolden saw his biggest opportunity in 2021, pulling in 42 receptions for 408 yards and three touchdowns. While Bolden's production profile isn't ideal, he faced elite competition for snaps at Alabama. Bolden ran slower than expected at the combine, clocking an official 4.66 second 40-yard dash time. Given the strong track record of Alabama receivers in the NFL and his experience on special teams, Bolden is expected to be a late day-three selection in the 2022 NFL draft.

Grade:

6.4 / 6.9