As we barrel toward the 2025 NFL Draft, hot takes and bold predictions are flying. There are too many mock drafts available for one person to possibly consume, though some of us try.
Inevitably, certain player-to-team fits become so commonly predicted that they feel almost like a guarantee. However, NFL teams have a way of shocking fans with first-round selections that nobody saw coming.
According to PFF, Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant has been mocked to the Arizona Cardinals more than any other prospect in this year’s draft. In recent weeks, Texas receiver Matthew Golden has picked up steam as a potential Cardinals selection. As fans and media members hone in on these two prospects, one player is flying under the radar as a potential first-round draft pick for the Arizona Cardinals.
Could the Cardinals select Walter Nolen in the first round?
The Cardinals have focused heavily on rebuilding their defensive front this offseason. After signing Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson, and Calais Campbell, Arizona’s front seven should look drastically different in 2025.
Even after those signings, the Cardinals may choose to target a defensive lineman early in the NFL Draft. Calais Campbell is 38 years old and on a one-year contract. Dalvin Tomlinson, while significantly younger, is not a long-term solution. The Cardinals still need to plan for the future of their defensive front, especially on the interior.
If Arizona does draft an interior defensive lineman early, the draftee would have the opportunity to learn behind Campbell and Tomlinson without having expectations of immediate production.
A prospect like Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen could be the perfect fit for the Arizona Cardinals. Nolen, while fairly raw, shows the traits to become a dominant interior defender at the next level. He uses impressive lateral agility and low pad level to beat offensive lineman in both run and pass defense.
Nolen produced 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries in his final season at Ole Miss. He was voted a consensus All-American for his efforts.
One of Nolen’s primary weaknesses is his lack of developed pass-rush moves. In Arizona, he could learn behind two of the league’s most stable veterans in Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson.
In the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, teams are allowed to bring in 30 prospects for visits to determine whether the player is worth drafting. These visits are often an indicator of who teams will select in the draft. Reportedly, the Cardinals used one of their 30 visits on Walter Nolen. This is far from being concrete evidence that Nolen is Arizona-bound, but it’s worth paying attention to.
While certain players may seem like perfect fits for NFL teams, it’s important to not lock in on player-to-team fits too early. A surprise selection, like Walter Nolen to Arizona, may just be in the cards.