The Arizona Cardinals finally have their first round pick signed.
The Arizona Cardinals have signed first round pick to a four-year rookie contract, of course with a fifth year option that we are all hoping gets picked up.
From the team:
The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced the signing of Mississippi defensive lineman Walter Nolen III, the team’s first-round (16th overall) selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, to a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth year. The signing took place today at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center in Tempe, AZ.
With Nolen’s signing, six of the team’s seven 2025 NFL Draft picks have signed contracts; only second-round selection CB Will Johnson remains.
Nolen III (6-4, 296) was a consensus first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection last season at Mississippi after finishing the year with career-highs in tackles (48), sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (14), passes defensed (three) and fumble recoveries (two) while starting all 13 games. Nolen helped the Rebels finish last season with the best run defense (80.5 ypg) in the nation while ranking second in scoring defense (14.4 ppg) and third in sacks (52). He played at Ole Miss in 2024 after spending his first two collegiate seasons at Texas A&M. In 35 career games (27 starts) in college, Nolen totaled 114 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 26.0 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and four passes defensed.
Nolen could be a star for the Cardinals, and brings some much needed youth to the interior of the defense.