Prospective NFL draft pick Nolen made headlines following an impressive performance at his pro day, showcasing his athleticism and skills. Recently, several scouts have named Nolen among the very best, or big-time talent. His pass rush production is pretty darn impressive. He recorded 6.5 sacks in his 2024 campaign for a dude that came in at 305 pounds.
Nolen’s showing at pro day sealed his status as one of the most important prospects. While scouts praised his talent, they cautioned that he needed to go to the proper team who would utilize his skill set. Most evaluators think he needs to be added to a timing, rhythm-based offense. This offense should focus on a three-step drop and get it out fast.
Executives’ consensus is that Nolen’s greatest chance for success will come inside a wide zone rushing scheme. One AFC executive remarked, “He’s got to go to a wide zone rushing team,” indicating that this scheme would complement Nolen’s abilities effectively.
Even with all that intangibles stuff, there are some red flags about how he actually plays the game. An executive noted, “Average feet, average instincts, doesn’t always really know what’s going on,” reflecting on areas where Nolen may need improvement. Another executive mentioned, “Maybe he can work his way into being a good player at the next level, but he will need to improve in those areas.”
On top of that, Nolen’s appeal is enhanced by his unique background as a former basketball player. One AFC exec gave a description of him as “big, athletic and raw.” At the same time, he really did have trouble with accuracy and passing mechanics. A veteran NFL defensive coach pointed out that Nolen has “the highest ceiling in the entire draft,” suggesting that if he can refine his skills, he may achieve significant success at the professional level.
More than just an impressive runner, evaluators have commented on the way that Nolen moves around the field. He possesses “straight-line juice” and is described as “very decisive when he gets north and south.” Well, some scouts agreed he’s “not an explosive mover.” Rather, they refer to him a “linear glider,” indicating twitchiness may not be his best quality.
Time will tell as Nolen’s pro day performance remains fresh in the minds of teams searching for potential high-impact players before the draft gets underway. With the right coaching and scheme fit, he could still develop into a valuable asset in the NFL.
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