2025 1st round pick 16 is Walter Nolen DT

[SunsTzu]

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

“Nobody questions how talented he is and how hard he plays. Super twitched up and really explosive.” -- NFC national scout

From what I've seen most the noise is from the fact he changed schools so many times and was accused of chasing money. Todd McShay wouldn't elaborate but he said some of that stuff was beyond his control, he also said none of the work ethic stuff shows up on tape(he even said unlike Tet McMillan where it does show on tape).

Most the reports I've seen show him having a high motor, even if he lacks consistency.

 

[ajcardfan]

Okay...

It's in every scouting report but sure.

I just told you that myself.

But specific incidents or evidence? I would like to hear anything because I have long wondered what exactly the kid does to get that rap.

And, no, I am not tired of you crapping on our drafts. It's ok, you gotta be you.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

20 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

That's the bar. Sign up now so we can laugh about this in 9 months.

 

[Proximo]

I have broken down how wretched his first two drafts are mupltile times.

3 decent players with like 15 picks.

Stop slurping the soup

That is nonsense.

Paris, Harrison, Garett Williams are stars.

Melton, adams, Reiman, Wilson are starters

Taylor-demison, Robinson and Ojilari are likely starters.

His draft record is good, it just is.

 

[Jetstream Green]

The guy I wanted, the guy they drafted
YES YES YES!!!

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

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

Stay positive dude- every one of these guys has a floor and ceiling. It’s impossible to know, his ceiling is up there in my opinion. It’s done with though- he is the pick, there are some silver linings here

 

[iLLmatiC]

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

Garrett Williams is a stud.

 

[BirdGangThing]

20 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

That's the bar. Sign up now so we can laugh about this in 9 months.

what if it is only a few sacks - we'll be rotating - if everyone's getting there's that's the type of defense we're looking at - i think sweat led philly with 8? the point is not having to blitz while still achieving results - to pressure the qb with 4 simultaneously adding a ball hawk to the secondary - that's what the rock is cooking - nolen was bpa btw over golden and simmons

 

[oaken1]

Now do all his other years in college

dude got progressively better...and being an underclassman is a huge plus.

I suppose you wanted one of the sixth year seniors?? Because dud had three productive years in college?
never mind that he is 25 years old right?

 

[Cheesebeef]

That is nonsense.

Paris, Harrison, Garett Williams are stars.

None of those guys are stars. Paris and Williams are good players. Harrison was painfully mediocre.

Melton, adams, Reiman, Wilson are starters

None of those are good starters. One of them isnt even a starter as Melton is our number 4 CB).

Taylor-demison, Robinson and Ojilari are likely starters.

None of these guys have proven ANYTHING. Robinson made ZERO impact last year. BJ looked okay for 3 out of 34 games he’s been in the league and is coming off a major knee injury. And Taylor-Demison hasn’t proven anything either.

His draft record is good, it just is.

His draft record is yet to be determined. Calling it good is completely unfounded projection and nothing more.

 

[Russ Smith]

he's definitely NOT aaron donald but who is? He's a very athletic kid, he can play the run, his pass rush is largely just athletic ability but lots of kids come into the NFL like that they're so big and athletic they didn't need to learn technique before. He'll learn.

At 16 you won't get a perfect player but you get a kid who has the physical tools to be great, and we needed talent on the DL.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

That is nonsense.

Paris, Harrison, Garett Williams are stars.

Melton, adams, Reiman, Wilson are starters

Taylor-demison, Robinson and Ojilari are likely starters.

His draft record is good, it just is.

There is no planet that Harrison is a star. He's a #2 WR at best right now.

Paris is decent. He should be where he was drafted. Williams iis a good pick. Rabbit is the other decent pick.

Robinson was awful the moment he stepped on the field. Melton is one of the worst starting corners in the league. Adams is a cut he is so awful. Reiman is a meme for bad drafting. 6 catches despite mega usage.

This is a rewind of every year. You all can get on the hopium.

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

I p

the fact that people are referencing AD, DD, and even Eric Swann goes to show how rare it is to find elite DT’s. AD is retired. DD hasn’t played in over a decade. Eric Swann? 1/2 the board probably wasn’t even born when he played. lol. EVERY team wishes for those dudes. What all of them had was a love for football and a NEED to dominate.

I pray he becomes Eric Swann

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Garrett Williams is a stud.

One out of 15 is great drafting. Keim would be proud

 

[Solar7]

Without reading any of the thread (as of this reply, I'll catch up), and having less of a horse in the race than most years, I'm pretty happy with it. I like him a lot more than the scary concept that we were going to take Golden on the ESPN broadcast. Or, any of the injured and "developmental" players in consideration.

I'd say my concern is that we're a little overinvested at the position, having signed two DTs as our main FA haul last year, drafting Robinson, signing Tomlinson, and signing Calais. Don't get me wrong, a DT/DE room that can rotate and stay fresh is a good thing, but I wonder if it will limit some of the players from thriving and getting reps.

Building the trenches is a good thing, and I like what I've watched of Nolen.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Fantastic pick. Love it.

 

[Hoodhero]

Without reading any of the thread (as of this reply, I'll catch up), and having less of a horse in the race than most years, I'm pretty happy with it. I like him a lot more than the scary concept that we were going to take Golden on the ESPN broadcast. Or, any of the injured and "developmental" players in consideration.

I'd say my concern is that we're a little overinvested at the position, having signed two DTs as our main FA haul last year, drafting Robinson, signing Tomlinson, and signing Calais. Don't get me wrong, a DT/DE room that can rotate and stay fresh is a good thing, but I wonder if it will limit some of the players from thriving and getting reps.

Building the trenches is a good thing, and I like what I've watched of Nolen.

Calais playing limited snaps and most likely only will be around for 1 to 2 seasons @ most has to be taken in account.

 

[Cardsfaninlouky]

Right? I feel bad for me as a Cardinals fan too

Look, we're all suffering Cardinals fans, as in, lifelong suffering. Have some faith, did anyone predict the way Aaron Donald would end up? Nolen has some very explosive hands & shoots the gaps quick, very disruptive. Imo, let Calais Campbell see Nolen take plays off & see what happens. I think this is a great pick, just have a little faith.

 

[cardinals2025]

Without reading any of the thread (as of this reply, I'll catch up), and having less of a horse in the race than most years, I'm pretty happy with it. I like him a lot more than the scary concept that we were going to take Golden on the ESPN broadcast. Or, any of the injured and "developmental" players in consideration.

I'd say my concern is that we're a little overinvested at the position, having signed two DTs as our main FA haul last year, drafting Robinson, signing Tomlinson, and signing Calais. Don't get me wrong, a DT/DE room that can rotate and stay fresh is a good thing, but I wonder if it will limit some of the players from thriving and getting reps.

Building the trenches is a good thing, and I like what I've watched of Nolen.

Overinvested? You have got to be kidding me. Fans have been screaming about getting a pass rush for over a year and now we are "overinvested."
No that is not true. In fact, this is what the plan was all along apparently. Have a rotation on the dline with pass rushing and run stopping, dependant on the situation and down.
Nolen will likely start on 3rd and longs just rushing the passer. He was described as "violent."

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

This video talks about how he has issues with run defense, but if we aren't using him for run defense than it doesn't matter. Plus he can improve. Also, there is no way Gannon and Monti draft someone they think has character concerns or whatever that was about."

Anyone remember the last time Gannon reacted like this to a draft pick?

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

It seems like they got one of the top guys they wanted.

 

[BACH]

Love the pick for several reasons.

1. He was the pick I wanted.
2. Good value pick with the biggest potential of any of the players left (with Simmons)
3. There is no rush to start him and CC gets to mentor him.
4. Monti evaluated the room correctly in terms of sequence. Top OTs were already gone. DTs were starting and Monti jumped on that. Edge players, which was the deepest, have not seen a serious run yet. DT was the right position at that point in the draft.

 

[Hoodhero]

Did not

Overinvested? You have got to be kidding me. Fans have been screaming about getting a pass rush for over a year and now we are "overinvested."
No that is not true. In fact, this is what the plan was all along apparently. Have a rotation on the dline with pass rushing and run stopping, dependant on the situation and down.
Nolen will likely start on 3rd and longs just rushing the passer. He was described as "violent."

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

This video talks about how he has issues with run defense, but if we aren't using him for run defense than it doesn't matter. Plus he can improve. Also, there is no way Gannon and Monti draft someone they think has character concerns or whatever that was about."

Anyone remember the last time Gannon reacted like this to a draft pick?

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

It seems like they got one of the top guys they wanted.

That's a pretty powerful quote from JG

 

[MadCardDisease]

Another Gambo 5 pick.

 

[BirdGangThing]

"I don't know what narratives are out there or anything like that – I make up my own mind," Gannon said. "This guy is a Cardinal 1000 percent."

Arizona Cardinals spend 16th pick of 2025 NFL draft on Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen

 

[BACH]

Overinvested? You have got to be kidding me. Fans have been screaming about getting a pass rush for over a year and now we are "overinvested."
No that is not true. In fact, this is what the plan was all along apparently. Have a rotation on the dline with pass rushing and run stopping, dependant on the situation and down.
Nolen will likely start on 3rd and longs just rushing the passer. He was described as "violent."

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

This video talks about how he has issues with run defense, but if we aren't using him for run defense than it doesn't matter. Plus he can improve. Also, there is no way Gannon and Monti draft someone they think has character concerns or whatever that was about."

Anyone remember the last time Gannon reacted like this to a draft pick?

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

It seems like they got one of the top guys they wanted.

You have to love this.... Overspending.

 

[kerouac9]

That's how Dockett was there in round 2.

Dockett was there in round 3.