The Cardinals made an even bolder move when leveraging the NFL Draft. They drafted interior defensive lineman Walter Nolen with the 16th overall pick, which would add a huge piece to their front. Nolen, a terrific defensive tackle in his own right, played college football at Wake Forest, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss. His stunning play on defense ultimately led him to be named a consensus first-team All-American.
In his last two years as a collegian, Nolen created havoc in opposing backfields, thanks to prolific statistics that only begin to tell the story. He put up 10.5 sacks and 22.5 TFL. On top of that, he caused two fumble recoveries, defended four passes and piled up 85 tackles. His accomplishments are a testament to his remarkable talent. They call attention to the immense pressure he’ll be under as he transitions to the pro level.
General Manager Monti Ossenfort’s description of Nolen was that he was a “violent, disruptive, high motor, tenacious, three-down player.” This characterization reflects the Cardinals’ intention to enhance their defensive unit’s effectiveness. Coach Jonathan Gannon was on the same page with this one, saying, “We’ve been preaching it forever. We wanted to be a more disruptive defensive unit. We believe we’ve supplemented our roster with players who are going to allow us to be successful in that regard. Drafting the right players to push the middle of the pocket puts tremendous pressure on the opposing offense. Their simple presence disrupts plays and forces the most difficult of decisions.
Nolen’s college tape demonstrates his capacity to carry a large workload. He routinely played 50-60 snaps a game, with heavy doses of no-huddle offenses thrown into the mix. His impressive agility gave him the ability to cut off ball screens and patrol effectively in help defense or switch scenarios. Gannon was impressed with Nolen’s film, exclaiming “Wow” upon first viewing.
Though Nolen can be shy, he’s an introvert, by his own admission. When it comes to talking about his unique skills, his confidence is evident. He touted himself as a “unicorn,” someone who can fill multiple roles on an NFL field. “I can do whatever for you in any given situation just as long as I get the right coaching. I can take it from there,” Nolen stated.
The Cardinals began to re recruit Nolen last autumn. They monitored his development at the Senior Bowl and subsequently spent time with him at the NFL Combine. This extensive scouting process gave the team insight into Moore’s athletic ability, as well as his character. As Coach Gannon mentioned, Nolen can seem shy at times. He has a “enormous heart,” revealing that unique mix of talent and temperament that the team covets.
In his upcoming work as a Cardinal, Nolen will be partners with Steelers’ cornerback Will Johnson. Johnson is a second round pick. They should both aid in fortifying the team’s defensive tactics and forming a more intimidating backline.
Nolen referred to the Ole Miss scheme as the ignition for his success in school. In the meantime, he feels the base that he created there has gotten him ready for the onslaught of challenges that await at the NFL level.
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