Walter Nolen’s NFL Draft Prospects: Exploring the Top 5 Landing Spots for the Rebels DT

Walter Nolen, one of the most highly touted defensive tackles to come out of the college football ranks in recent years, has captured the attention of NFL scouts, analysts, and teams across the league. As a product of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Nolen has demonstrated a rare combination of size, strength, speed, and football IQ that has catapulted him into the conversation as a potential first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

In this article, we will explore Nolen’s draft prospects, his strengths and weaknesses, and the top five landing spots for him in the NFL, based on team needs, schemes, and how he can immediately contribute at the next level.

Who is Walter Nolen?

Walter Nolen, a 6’4”, 315-pound defensive tackle, is a player who stands out physically. His combination of size and athleticism is almost unmatched for a defensive lineman. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Nolen was a five-star recruit in the class of 2023, earning a reputation as a dominant force in high school football before committing to Ole Miss.

Since his arrival in Oxford, Nolen has continued to develop into one of the most disruptive forces in the SEC, a conference known for producing elite talent year after year. While still refining his technique, Nolen’s raw physical tools have been enough to make him an early standout. His strength allows him to overpower blockers, while his quickness and burst off the line of scrimmage make him a major threat on passing downs as well.

Strengths:

Size and Athleticism: Standing at 6’4″ and weighing around 315 pounds, Nolen is an imposing figure. His combination of size and athleticism allows him to both collapse the pocket as a pass rusher and hold up against the run.
Quick First Step: Nolen has an explosive first step, which is a rare trait for a player of his size. This makes him difficult to block, especially on passing downs.
Versatility: Nolen is capable of lining up at multiple positions along the defensive line, including nose tackle and defensive end in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.
Run Defense: His ability to clog running lanes and hold his ground against double teams makes him a valuable asset in run defense.

Weaknesses:

Consistency: While Nolen has flashes of brilliance, he can sometimes struggle to maintain that level of intensity and performance throughout an entire game.
Refinement of Technique: Nolen’s power and athleticism often mask any technique issues, but he can improve his hand placement, pad level, and overall pass-rushing moves.
Motor: Like many young defensive linemen, Nolen occasionally takes plays off or lacks the relentless motor that is often expected at the next level.

Despite these areas for growth, Nolen’s immense upside makes him one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, let’s explore the five best landing spots for Nolen in the NFL.

1. Chicago Bears – The Defensive Rebuild

The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a major rebuild, and their defense has been a focal point of that process. After trading up to select quarterback Justin Fields in the 2021 Draft, the Bears now need to surround him with a solid roster, including reinforcements on the defensive line. Chicago’s front seven has struggled to consistently generate pressure on the quarterback, and adding a player like Nolen could be a game-changer.

Why the Bears?

Need for a Dominant Interior Force: The Bears need a player who can anchor their defensive line and collapse the pocket from the interior. While they have some promising young players, they still lack that game-wrecking force in the middle.
3-4 Scheme Fit: Under head coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears run a 3-4 defense, which requires strong, versatile defensive linemen capable of both plugging gaps and rushing the passer. Nolen’s ability to play both as a nose tackle and a 3-technique defensive tackle makes him a great fit for this scheme.
Immediate Impact: With Nolen’s combination of strength and quickness, he would immediately help improve Chicago’s pass rush and run defense, which are both areas that have been a struggle in recent years.

2. Cleveland Browns – Pairing with Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns have one of the most fearsome edge rushers in the league in Myles Garrett. However, the Browns’ interior pass rush has been inconsistent, and they could use another disruptive force to help collapse the pocket from the inside and make life easier for Garrett and the rest of the defensive front.

Why the Browns?

Complementing Myles Garrett: Nolen could complement Garrett’s ability to generate pressure off the edge by occupying blockers inside and generating interior pass rush on his own. Pairing Nolen with Garrett would give Cleveland one of the most dynamic defensive lines in the league.
4-3 Scheme Fit: The Browns operate primarily in a 4-3 defense, and Nolen’s versatility as a 3-technique defensive tackle fits perfectly with that alignment. He can line up next to Garrett and create chaos in both the run and pass games.
Winning Now: Cleveland is currently in win-now mode, and adding a player like Nolen would help improve their defense in both the short and long term. The Browns have built a strong defense but need one more piece to truly elevate it to championship-caliber status.

3. Atlanta Falcons – A Key Piece in a Rebuilding Defense

The Atlanta Falcons are another team that is building around a young quarterback, Desmond Ridder, and focusing on retooling their defense. While the Falcons have improved in recent years, they still need significant help on the defensive line, particularly in generating a consistent pass rush and improving against the run.

Why the Falcons?

Need for a Disruptive Force: The Falcons need an interior defensive lineman who can both stop the run and rush the passer. Nolen has the size and explosiveness to immediately contribute in both areas.
3-4 Scheme Fit: Atlanta runs a 3-4 defense under head coach Arthur Smith, and Nolen would fit well as a defensive end or nose tackle in that system. His ability to hold the point of attack while also generating pressure would be invaluable in this defensive alignment.
Youth Movement: The Falcons are looking to build for the future, and Nolen could be a centerpiece of that defense for years to come. Pairing him with young talent at linebacker and in the secondary would help Atlanta build a defense capable of competing in the NFC South.

4. New York Giants – Reinforcing the Defensive Line

The New York Giants have made significant strides in recent years under head coach Brian Daboll, but their defense remains a work in progress. While they’ve had some success with edge rushers like Kayvon Thibodeaux, the interior defensive line remains a weakness, and they could benefit from adding a player like Nolen.

Why the Giants?

Glaring Need for Interior Help: The Giants have had trouble stopping the run and generating pressure from the interior of their defensive line. Adding Nolen would immediately help address both issues.
4-3 Scheme Fit: New York employs a 4-3 defense, and Nolen would slot in as a 3-technique defensive tackle, a position where he could excel with his combination of power and quickness.
Defensive Rebuild: The Giants are looking to build a defense that can complement their improving offense, and Nolen’s ability to contribute in both the run game and the pass rush would make him a key building block for their defense.

5. Dallas Cowboys – A Veteran Defense in Need of Youth

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the top defenses in the NFL, with a dominant pass rush and a solid linebacker corps. However, as the team continues to age, particularly on the defensive line, the Cowboys will need to add young talent to their defensive front. Nolen could be the answer to help keep the defense elite for years to come.

Why the Cowboys?

Strong Defensive Scheme: The Cowboys run a hybrid defense that frequently uses both 3-4 and 4-3 alignments. Nolen’s versatility would allow him to play in multiple positions along the defensive line, fitting seamlessly into Dallas’ system.
Complementing DeMarcus Lawrence: With the aging of veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, Nolen could provide a much-needed injection of youth and energy to the Cowboys’ defensive line. Pairing Nolen with Lawrence and others could create one of the most feared front sevens in the league.
Immediate Playoff Contender: The Cowboys are always in contention for the playoffs, and adding a player like Nolen would bolster their defense immediately. His ability to both disrupt the pass and stop the run would allow the Cowboys to maintain their defensive dominance.