2025 NFL Draft – Walter Nolen, iDL, Ole Miss – Prospect profile

Could Nolen be the most disruptive defensive lineman in the class?

The 2025 NFL Draft has a very deep class of defensive lineman. Not only are there great players in this draft class, but there’s a very broad set of skills available to suit pretty much any need.

Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen isn’t the big block-eating tackle we normally think of when we picture “defensive tackle”. However, he has an impressive burst and can be highly disruptive when attacking gaps.

Shane Bowen’s defense for the New York Giants depends on penetrating linemen disrupting the offense. Could that make Nolen a target if they can make the value work?

Prospect: Walter Nolen (2)
Games Watched: Kentucky (2024), vs. LSU (2024), vs. Georgia (2024), vs. Florida (2024)
Red Flags: Possible maturity concerns

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths

Best traits

• Explosiveness
• First step
• Leverage
• Competitive toughness
• Play strength

Walter Nolen is an explosive, tenacious, disruptive, and impressively powerful interior defensive lineman.

Nolen has good size for a defensive tackle in a one-gap defense at 6-foot 3 ¾ inches tall, 296 pounds. He’s a bit on the light side, but plays with a level of strength that would be impressive for a tackle 40-pounds heavier.

Nolen has a remarkably explosive first step, timing the snap well and firing out low and hard. He has great initial pad level, uncoiling his hips and consistently driving blockers back onto their heels. He understands the importance of maintaining pad level while seeking inside or half-man leverage to maximize his power. Nolen has heavy and active hands, consistently attacking blockers hands to keep them from latching on.

His explosiveness, leverage, and power allow him to be remarkably disruptive as both a pass rusher and run defender – even in excess of his stats. Nolen is capable of making plays on his own, but he can also create opportunities for teammates by occupying blockers or collapsing pockets.

He’s an aggressive, tenacious defender who’s willing to fight through waves of blockers and is even a handful for double-teams. He does a good job of tracking the ball in the backfield, and also gives great effort in pursuit.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

• Lateral agility
• Arm length

Nolen has two primary weaknesses in his game, though it feels like nitpicking to call them out as such.

The first is limited lateral agility. Defensive tackles are rarely noted for their agility, but even so, Nolen’s is a bit disappointing for his frame and overall athleticism. He slows significantly when he has to exchange gaps or change direction on a stunt or loop. Likewise, he can be prone to missing tackles if he doesn’t have a good angle on the ball carrier and needs to make a last-second adjustment.

Nolen’s arms are also short compared to the NFL archetype. His 32 ½ inch arms are in the bottom quartile of defensive tackles, and almost two standard deviations away from the (roughly) 34 inches the NFL prefers. His short arms can allow long-levered blockers to access his chest plate, slowing his rush and mitigating some of his initial explosiveness. They, along with his limited agility, also give him a smaller than ideal tackle radius.

Both issues can be overcome at the NFL level, but Nolen will need to become a true technician to compensate and fully unleash his explosive power.

There have also been rumors of maturity concerns among scouts regarding Nolen and reports of him leaving practice early due to frustration. His interview process could be crucial to his overall draft stock.

Game Tape

(Nolen is the Ole Miss defensive tackle wearing number 2 and white short sleeves)

Projection

Walter Nolen projects as a starting defensive tackle at the NFL level.

While Nolen has the ability to eat blocks or hold up to double teams, he’s at his best when attacking individual gaps and penetrating into the backfield. His highest ceiling is likely as a 3, 4i, or 5-technique in a one-gap defense.

Nolen’s arm length will likely be a problem for some teams and could cause him to slide a bit. He does understand the importance of technique and doesn’t simply try to overwhelm defenders with his power or athleticism. That said, his hands are more unsophisticated, blunt objects at this point in his development.

He has the potential to become a true nightmare if he lands in a situation which will foster his development as a technician, as well as allow him to feast in one-on-one situations.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes, pending interviews.

Final Word: A first round talent.