The Arizona Cardinals have taken steps to strengthen their defensive line by selecting Walter Nolen III from Ole Miss with the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The selection adds to various moves the team has made during the offseason, including the signing of Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, the re-signing of L.J. Collier, and the return of veterans Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols from injury. The team also relies on young talents such as Darius Robinson and Dante Stills.
Nolen, a defensive tackle, expressed his high self-regard after being chosen, saying, “I’m a unicorn” and drawing comparisons to notable NFL player Aaron Donald. He was quoted stating, “I feel we have the same mentality when it comes to D-line,” and voiced eagerness to exceed the high bar set by Donald.
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon and General Manager Monti Ossenfort, while recognizing Nolen’s comparison to Donald, highlighted Nolen’s potential as a three-down player crucial to their aspiring defensive lineup. Nolen faced skepticism about his commitment to football and teamwork but appreciated the Cardinals’ efforts in evaluating him directly.
Gannon affirmed, “This guy is a Cardinal 1000 percent,” showing firm support for Nolen. Nolen’s noteworthy performances on the field include being a first-team All-American in 2024 and accumulating 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. He was also an Outland Trophy finalist, a testament to his abilities.
Commenting on the experience, Gannon remarked, “Today, the perfect world was getting in my car and Walter Nolen on our team.” He highlighted that Nolen will benefit from mentoring by experienced players like Campbell and emphasized that Nolen needs to earn his place on the field.
Aaron Donald, a player Nolen aspires to emulate, encouraged him by saying, “Keep doing your thing,” and even hoped for a longer and better career for Nolen than his own. As Nolen embarks on his NFL journey, the Cardinals are optimistic about their decision potentially shaping their franchise’s future.
Quarterback Kyler Murray welcomed Nolen on social media, underscoring team enthusiasm for the new addition.
