2025 1st round pick 16 is Walter Nolen DT

[Chris_Sanders]

Shane and I had a whole chat before this pick about how excited I was for this until we took a late 1st early 2nd rounder who was a huge gamble at that cost at #16.

 

[Snakester]

Like others I hope he is the second coming of Aaron Donald or at least Darnell Dockett.

That’s what I see on film. Quick burst and uses his hands really well. His potential is somewhere between Dockett and Donald. I like Calais is here as a mentor and there will be plenty of competition to push him.

 

[ajcardfan]

Shane and I had a whole chat before this pick about how excited I was for this until we took a late 1st early 2nd rounder who was a huge gamble at that cost at #16.

Ok, who were you hoping we picked?

I thought we were going to take a WR.

 

[football karma]

honest question: what are the "character concerns" on Nolen

I consume all sorts of draft content and I didnt see anything in that regard

 

[Chris_Sanders]

When Warren fell I was begging for a trade up. We run 3 TEs 30% of the time anyway.

Make Gronk / Hernandez without all the Gronk and especially Hernandez

After that it was clearly Golden/ Simmons for impact this year.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

honest question: what are the "character concerns" on Nolen

I consume all sorts of draft content and I didnt see anything in that regard

He's lazy af

 

[Shane]

He's lazy af

Not sure you can accumulate that stat line in the SEC and say “AF” he disappears in spurts but AF seems like overstated?

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Not sure you can accumulate that stat line in the SEC and say “AF” he disappears in spurts but AF seems like overstated?

Unless you believe everyone is out to get him, it's well reported

 

[unseenaz]

He's lazy af

Bro you are literally crashing out right now. The Cards have lots of dudes who make lots of money who have spent time with the guy in person, watched his tape, met his coaches, scouted him extensively - and you just read a sports illustrated article. CHILL.

 

[Big D]

1st round you have to minimize risk. You can't bust.

That’s just not true and never has been. Decades upon decades of known boom or bust picks in the 1st rd say otherwise.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Bro you are literally crashing out right now. The Cards have lots of dudes who make lots of money who have spent time with the guy in person, watched his tape, met his coaches, scouted him extensively - and you just read a sports illustrated article. CHILL.

Sure. My criticism of the Cardinals picks has been wrong many times and my draft analysis is very wrong unless you agree with it. Crashing out

 

[Cheesebeef]

When Warren fell I was begging for a trade up. We run 3 TEs 30% of the time anyway.

Make Gronk / Hernandez without all the Gronk and especially Hernandez

After that it was clearly Golden/ Simmons for impact this year.

Okay.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

That’s just not true and never has been. Decades upon decades of known boom or bust picks in the 1st rd say otherwise.

Those guys took combine talent over the history of the college career or the actual production

 

[ajcardfan]

Unless you believe everyone is out to get him, it's well reported

No, it isn't. You can look as much as you want and while you will read "concerns" over and over what you won't find are direct quotes from anybody as to anything specific about his work ethic

Go ahead and try to find one former coach or teammate who has ever called him lazy. I have multiple times. Including just last week.

 

[Shane]

Unless you believe everyone is out to get him, it's well reported

Well there is ton of "has the potential to be a star and the best DT in the entire draft" as well as the concerns of the latter. Has the most potential bar none etc... He's a kid and could have had maturity issues. Those very well could be behind him. Sure its a risk. But the potential and talent is there. Guess we will see. I like him having those two consumate pros on the DT room to help and mentor.

 

[BirdGangThing]

When Warren fell I was begging for a trade up. We run 3 TEs 30% of the time anyway.

Make Gronk / Hernandez without all the Gronk and especially Hernandez

After that it was clearly Golden/ Simmons for impact this year.

i think simmons was just the last pick of the first round

 

[NashDishesDimes]

Only been here for two years, you want 5 stars already? He has a bunch of promising guys from the draft and didnt get to participate in FA until this year due to cheap Bidwill. Not sure why the negativity on oss

Name the 5 great Cardinals on the team right now brought in by Ossenfort including FA

 

[Rohinaz]

Gotta love getting Nolan, best DT in the draft. Get oline in the 2nd.

 

[football karma]

He's lazy af

ESPN: Nolen splits and fights off double-teams. He has the range and motor to make plays in pursuit.

PFF: Good effort to the whistle

im not posting this to argue, but just trying to run down the source of character concerns

 

[Chris_Sanders]

No, it isn't. You can look as much as you want and while you will read "concerns" over and over what you won't find are direct quotes from anybody as to anything specific about his work ethic

Okay...

It's in every scouting report but sure.

I know you all get tired of me crapping on our terrible drafts. So we will revisit just like last year.

2.5 sacks and 20 tackles. I am taking the under with more confidence than Reiman having 20 catches and you all thought I was a crazy man. 6 catches. 6

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

I've wanted a disruptive pocket pushing DT in forever. He was rated as the #1 overall recruit in 2022. Campbell will teach him a few tricks I'm sure. I love this pick.

 

[Cheesebeef]

i think simmons was just the last pick of the first round

and is coming off a devastating knee injury that players more often than not, never return to form from.

But he’s clearly the one to make an impact this year… even though he’d also be a backup… or playing out of position… assuming he even plays this season.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Only been here for two years, you want 5 stars already? He has a bunch of promising guys from the draft and didnt get to participate in FA until this year due to cheap Bidwill. Not sure why the negativity on oss

He absolutely does not. He's got zero impact players and like 4 okay dudes despite having 4x the picks

 

[Cheesebeef]

Chris… I get being skeptical about Nolan. But I think it’s really confusing to think Simmons is going to be an impact maker this season, coming off that injury and probably having to learn a new position with both OT positions locked up right now.

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

The laziness rumors scare me but he’s in the perfect spot to succeed.

CC won't let him be lazy trust me lol