Walter Nolen, defensive tackle out of Ole Miss, is the newest Arizona Cardinal.
The Cardinals used the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. Here’s everything you need to know about the disruptive lineman with a scouting report below.
Stats & Accolades
- 2022 (Texas A&M): Played in 10 games with four starts (29 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble).
- 2023 (Texas A&M): Played in 12 games with 10 starts (37 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, pass breakup).
- 2024 (Ole Miss): Started 13 games (48 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three pass breakups). First-Team Associated Press All-American. First-Team All-SEC. Finalist for Outland Trophy (nation’s top OL/DL).
What the Cardinals are getting:
Nolen is a tall, athletic defensive tackle with a lean-but-powerful build that helps him explode off the line and create havoc before blockers know what hit them. He wins by being very active with both his upper and lower body in sync to overwhelm interior blockers who cannot match his frenetic rush style. Nolen needs to refine his pass-rush toolbox as a whole but he can win often enough with his speed and explosiveness that it’s not the most pressing need. If he can control his own chaos (the good and the bad), Nolen has a chance to outplay his draft slot and potentially end up being the best defensive tackle in this class.
Strengths
- Very productive 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2024
- Ability to win consistently one-on-one
- Agility to slip blocks and surprise ball-carriers in the backfield
- Elite bend and balance for an interior defender
- Motor helps him find cleanup opportunities at a high clip
Weaknesses
- Aggressive play style can come back to bite him
- Struggles to win corner on lineman despite being the better athlete
- Sustain length minimized due to narrow play base
Athletic Testing
- Height: 6’4
- Weight: 300 pounds
- 40-yard dash: N/A
- 10-yard split: N/A
- Vertical jump: N/A
- Broad jump: N/A
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- Short shuttle: N/A
- Bench Press: N/A