Even though he is a first-round pick, Nolen likely will not be a starter.
The Arizona Cardinals selected seven players in the 2025 NFL draft. Their first-round pick, defensive lineman Walter Nolen, was selected 16th overall.
What role could he play for the team as a rookie? We will look at each draft pick and make projections for what role each can viably expect for them in 2025.
What is the case for Nolen?
Expected role for Arizona Cardinals DL Walter Nolen
The Cardinals like to give their first-round picks playing time early. In 2023, tackle Paris Johnson immediately became the starting right tackle. Last year, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. immediately was the team’s starting “X” receiver.
However, it was different for defensive lineman Darius Robinson. The Cardinals had starters for the defensive line and he would have played on a rotational basis. However, he got hurt before the season and missed much of the season. When he returned, he played a small role.
Nolen enters a deep defensive line room. It has high-end starters Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson on the roster. Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols, who missed most of the season with injuries, are solid NFL starters. The Cardinals also have Robinson, a first-round pick and then Dante Stills and L.J. Collier, both of whom were the Cardinals’ top defensive line performers last season.
Nolen will not likely be a starter. He will have to compete to even be active on gay days. That said, assuming the room stays healthy, what can be expected is a rotational player, getting 30-40% of the snaps. Hopefully, in those limited snaps, he shows flashes of what the Cardinals believe he can be.
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