KJ Bolden S Georgia |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #4 ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.33 seconds (99%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #4 | |
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.33 seconds (99%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
87.8 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 71.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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75% |
| Run Defense: |
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84% |
| Coverage: |
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81% |
| Zone: |
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80% |
| Man/Press: |
|
79% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Mid
Overall Rank:
#15
Position rank:
#3 (DB)
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| College Games: 35 College Snaps: 1585 | ||
ESPN RATING: 90/100
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247 RATING: 98/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Daxton Hill - Michigan |
|
91% |
| Cam Taylor-Britt - Nebraska |
|
80% |
| Dadrion Taylor-Demerson - Texas Tech |
|
75% |
Draft Profile: Bio
KJ Bolden starred at receiver and safety for Buford in suburban Atlanta, earning all-state honors twice and the region's top defensive award in his last season while also running track. The 247Sports Composite ranked him the No. 1 safety in the 2024 class, he was an All-American Bowl selection, and he flipped from Florida State to Georgia on signing day.Bolden started his college career in Georgia's 34-3 win over Clemson in 2024, playing more snaps than any other Bulldog defender, and finished the year with 59 tackles and a Freshman All-America nod. He later revealed he played that season with blurred vision in his right eye and had surgery before 2025. In 2025 he became a full-time starter at safety, missed just four tackles across 725 snaps and was a second-team All-SEC pick by the coaches. He was ejected for targeting in the first half against Florida in November and appeared to hurt his shoulder in the Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss, though he returned to the game.
Bolden entered 2026 as a preseason All-American. He picked off a pass against Oklahoma and made seven tackles in the three-point win at Alabama, where he sacked the quarterback on third down on the Crimson Tide's final drive. A calf injury sidelined him for the 27-24 loss to Auburn, and he returned to make six tackles when Georgia beat Florida in Atlanta. Kirby Smart has praised his growth as a leader.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Rare speed at safety lets him patrol the deep middle on his own
- Missed only four tackles on 725 snaps in 2025
- Third-down sack on Alabama's final drive in the 20-17 win
- Reads the quarterback from depth and triggers downhill fast
- Has handled deep safety, box and slot assignments for Georgia
- Picked off Oklahoma in a 41-13 Georgia win
- Defends the run like a linebacker when he fits downhill
- Second-team All-SEC as a sophomore after starting since day one
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Light frame that bigger ball carriers can test in the box
- Calf injury cost him the Auburn game in October
- Coverage has slipped in 2026, with 15 of 21 passes completed against him
Scouting Report: Summary
Bolden is a rare athlete at safety whose run defense and tackling have been among the best in the country since the day he arrived at Georgia. He played more snaps than any Georgia defender in his college debut, missed just four tackles across 725 snaps in 2025 and has handled deep, box and slot assignments. The range to erase the deep middle on his own is what separates him.His biggest moments have come in big games. He intercepted Oklahoma this fall, and at Alabama he made seven tackles and sacked the quarterback on third down on the Crimson Tide's final drive to help seal a 20-17 win. Kirby Smart has said the biggest growth has come in his leadership, and he plays like the quarterback of the back end. Georgia is 7-1, and its only loss came in the game he missed.
However, there are things for teams to check. His coverage numbers have slipped this season, with 15 of 21 passes completed against him and a touchdown allowed at Alabama, and his interception totals have been modest for a player with his range. He has also missed five tackles in seven games this season. He is light for a safety who spends time in the box, a calf injury cost him the Auburn game, and he was ejected for targeting against Florida in 2025. He also played his freshman season with blurred vision in one eye before surgery, which teams will want to examine.
Overall, Bolden is a rangy, sure-tackling centerfielder with the eagerness to fit the run and the versatility to play three spots. He projects as a first-round safety who starts on all three downs early, with a Pro Bowl ceiling if the takeaways come. His versatility lets a coordinator disguise coverages without changing personnel.
Update - 11/03/2026
Bolden has a right leg injury and missed the Auburn game on 17 October. Georgia had a bye the following week, and his status for Florida is not confirmed. In the 20-17 win at Alabama he made seven tackles and the sack on Alabama's final offensive play.
How other scouting services rate KJ Bolden (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
21.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
4.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.