The next installment of our series on the Steelers' first-round options in the NFL Draft, April 24:
Defensive tackle is a popular position in this draft. That bodes well for the Steelers since they are weaker at the position than they were one year ago. They'll likely have multiple options in the first round, and Ole Miss' Walter Nolen could be one of them.
This series will be based not only on need, but also on the team's level of interest in each player. Nolen hasn't been as heavily involved in the Steelers' pre-draft process, but that doesn't mean he's completely off their radar.
WALTER NOLEN
• Position: Defensive tackle • College: Ole Miss (2024), Texas A&M (2022-23) • Class: Junior • Height: 6-4 • Weight: 296 • 40-yard dash: N/A • RAS score: N/A • PFF Big Board: No. 8 overall, No. 2 DT • Combine meeting: No • Pro day visit: No • Pre-draft visit: No
NFL comparison: Milton Williams
OVERVIEW
Nolen was a No. 1 overall recruit coming out of high school and spent his first two seasons at Texas A&M. In his two seasons at College Station, Nolen's production didn't quite match his talent, recording 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defensed in 22 total games.
After transferring to Ole Miss, Nolen's bet on himself paid off. He was named first-team AP All-American, first-team All-SEC and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, the nation’s top interior lineman on either side of the ball. Nolen started all 13 games for the Rebels, recording 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three passes defensed.
Nolen isn't the most polished defensive tackle in this class, but he's perhaps the most talented. He has a great build and size for the position and he's incredibly strong -- grown-man strength, as some in the game like to call it. He also has a natural and quick first step and moves far quicker than most others at his position. Because of his strength and quickness, he often wins by exploding into contact, knocking blockers off balance and causing disruption both as a run defender and a pass rusher.
However, he relies too much on his strength to win. This is where he'll need the most coaching and why his floor isn't quite as high as Michigan's Kenneth Grant or Oregon's Derrick Harmon. He can too often get stalled when he loses a rep and tries to muscle his way out of things. He lacks a go-to move in his pass-rush arsenal, which needs refinement. If he can learn the art of the pass rush, matching his obscene strength, he can undoubtedly become the best defensive tackle in this class and a multiple time All-Pro.
Whichever team drafts Nolen, he might not be ready to come in a be a Day 1 starter. As previously stated, he's still a bit raw as a pass rusher, which would likely limit his third down usage as a rookie.
There have been rumors since the NFL Combine about some character issues regarding Nolen. He also opted to not participate in workouts in Indianapolis, and he only performed the bench press (27 reps) at the Ole Miss pro day. It's up to the Steelers to figure out if there's any legitimate concern there, whether it be character issues and/or medical concerns.
The Steelers didn't meet with Nolen at the Combine or his pro day, nor have they brought him in for a pre-draft visit. But, Mike Tomlin did meet with him at the Senior Bowl, so he's not completely off their radar.
Should all the off-the-field concerns check out, Nolen's untapped potential is off the charts and well worth the slight gamble for the Steelers if available at 21st overall.
THE ASYLUM
Draft profile: Walter Nolen
The next installment of our series on the Steelers' first-round options in the NFL Draft, April 24:
Defensive tackle is a popular position in this draft. That bodes well for the Steelers since they are weaker at the position than they were one year ago. They'll likely have multiple options in the first round, and Ole Miss' Walter Nolen could be one of them.
This series will be based not only on need, but also on the team's level of interest in each player. Nolen hasn't been as heavily involved in the Steelers' pre-draft process, but that doesn't mean he's completely off their radar.
WALTER NOLEN
• Position: Defensive tackle
• College: Ole Miss (2024), Texas A&M (2022-23)
• Class: Junior
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 296
• 40-yard dash: N/A
• RAS score: N/A
• PFF Big Board: No. 8 overall, No. 2 DT
• Combine meeting: No
• Pro day visit: No
• Pre-draft visit: No
NFL comparison: Milton Williams
OVERVIEW
Nolen was a No. 1 overall recruit coming out of high school and spent his first two seasons at Texas A&M. In his two seasons at College Station, Nolen's production didn't quite match his talent, recording 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defensed in 22 total games.
After transferring to Ole Miss, Nolen's bet on himself paid off. He was named first-team AP All-American, first-team All-SEC and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, the nation’s top interior lineman on either side of the ball. Nolen started all 13 games for the Rebels, recording 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three passes defensed.
Nolen isn't the most polished defensive tackle in this class, but he's perhaps the most talented. He has a great build and size for the position and he's incredibly strong -- grown-man strength, as some in the game like to call it. He also has a natural and quick first step and moves far quicker than most others at his position. Because of his strength and quickness, he often wins by exploding into contact, knocking blockers off balance and causing disruption both as a run defender and a pass rusher.
However, he relies too much on his strength to win. This is where he'll need the most coaching and why his floor isn't quite as high as Michigan's Kenneth Grant or Oregon's Derrick Harmon. He can too often get stalled when he loses a rep and tries to muscle his way out of things. He lacks a go-to move in his pass-rush arsenal, which needs refinement. If he can learn the art of the pass rush, matching his obscene strength, he can undoubtedly become the best defensive tackle in this class and a multiple time All-Pro.
Whichever team drafts Nolen, he might not be ready to come in a be a Day 1 starter. As previously stated, he's still a bit raw as a pass rusher, which would likely limit his third down usage as a rookie.
There have been rumors since the NFL Combine about some character issues regarding Nolen. He also opted to not participate in workouts in Indianapolis, and he only performed the bench press (27 reps) at the Ole Miss pro day. It's up to the Steelers to figure out if there's any legitimate concern there, whether it be character issues and/or medical concerns.
The Steelers didn't meet with Nolen at the Combine or his pro day, nor have they brought him in for a pre-draft visit. But, Mike Tomlin did meet with him at the Senior Bowl, so he's not completely off their radar.
Should all the off-the-field concerns check out, Nolen's untapped potential is off the charts and well worth the slight gamble for the Steelers if available at 21st overall.
HIGHLIGHTS
PFF GRADES/STATS
• Overall grade: 88.9 (8th of 895 DT)
• Pass rush grade: 75.0
• Run defense grade: 91.6
• True pass set pass rush grade: 80.8
• Pass rush win rate: 10.9%
• Run-stop rate: 11.9%
STRENGTHS
• Incredible strength that can help him win in both run defense and rushing the passer.
• Underrated first step and overall quickness that enables him to either explode with power or beat blockers at the snap.
• Strong enough to absorb double teams and eat space.
• Rarely gets knocked off balance, thanks to a great combination of size, strength, body control and footwork.
• Active hands to try and bat down passes when pass rush stalls.
• Motor is always running from snap to whistle.
• Versatile enough to play multiple techniques up front.
WEAKNESSES
• Pass rush arsenal is limited. Lacks a go-to-move and tries to win with power too frequently.
• When pass rush stalls, he too often tries to just muscle his way out of it.
• Below average arm length (32-1/2 inches) shows up when trying to disengage from blocks.
• Gap integrity needs a bit of refinement.
• Potential character flaws, though those are more rumors and not anything traceable such as legal issues, etc.
Other draft profiles:
• Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
• Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
• Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
• Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
• Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
• Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
• Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
• Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
• Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
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