GLENDALE – After months of waiting, the Arizona Cardinals went with a difference maker with its 16th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. The former Rebels lineman scored the second best Combine score for a defensive tackle. In his three years with Ole Miss, he recorded 11.5 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, and 114 total tackles.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Nolen joins a Cardinals teams in desperate need of a pass rush, and they get that with the 21-year-old defensive lineman.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon addresses the media during a news conference at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on July 24, 2024.
Cardinals announcing the Nolen selection:
What Nolen brings the Cardinals:
Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Walter Nolen (2) waits for the snap during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Arizona had the 28th worst sack percentage in 2023 and the 17th last year. General manager Monti Ossenfort has spent big money this past offseason to improve the team’s front seven with signing Pro Bowlers like edge Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Calais Campbell. Plus, the addition of last year’s first round pick in Darius Robinson, who missed a majority of 2024, with injures.
At 6’4 and nearly 300 pounds Nolen has stellar speed and power in the trenches that has separated him from the pack of other defensive tackles in this year’s draft.
Feb 26, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mississippi defensive lineman Walter Nolen (DL23) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
While the franchise needs a better pass rush, Nolen is known for his lockdown run defense. The Rebels defensive lineman led the program to the second best run defense in Division 1, allowing only 80.5 yards per game. Nolen will have an opportunity to learn under one of the greatest defensive tackles in Cardinals history with Campbell, to establish his own legacy with his newest home in the desert.
Final prediction for Arizona Cardinals 1st round pick in 2025 NFL Draft
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
