Outside observers are very high on Arizona Cardinals‘ 2025 first-round pick Walter Nolen III. The second-year defensive lineman is a popular pick to break out in 2026.
NFL.com’s Senior News Writer Kevin Patra joins the list of those high on Nolen. Patra highlighted a player on every NFL team that could make the Pro Bowl for the first time in their careers. Nolen made his list for the Cardinals.
“Let me join the chorus of those believing that Walter Nolen can be a massive difference-maker in the desert if he can stay on the field. The 300-pound defensive lineman flashed massive upside in just six games last season. He’s able to push around offensive linemen and create havoc. He generated a 14% pressure rate last season, and we didn’t get to see it at full throttle due to injuries. But if Nolen stays healthy for a full slate, his star will soar,” wrote Patra.
The key for Nolen is for the 22-year-old to stay healthy. The Cardinals need playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, and he best fits that description.
A calf injury delayed his Cardinals debut until Week 9 of last season. He lasted just six games before a torn meniscus in Week 16 ended his season. Nolen recorded 2.0 sacks, five quarterback hits, and batted down two passes at the line.
How Walter Nolen Can Impact the Cardinals Defense in Year 2
The Cardinals were reminded of the type of impact Walter Nolen can have on a single game. Nolen was particularly disruptive in their preseason win against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Arizona Republic‘s Theo Mackie posted a short highlight reel of the second-year lineman’s performance in Las Vegas. In all three plays, he pressured Raiders’ No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. He recorded a sack and drew a hold penalty on that drive.
What separates Nolen from the rest of the defense is his unrelenting motor and burst at the snap. The Cardinals need someone who can get to the opposing quarterback from the interior, which is why they targeted him in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Having that interior pass rush threat also helps the outside rush. By having someone who can collapse the pocket or outright win inside, it shrinks the space the quarterback can use to evade the edge rush. The Cardinals had a Pro Bowl edge rusher in Josh Sweat last season, so Nolen’s presence will help Sweat, Baron Browning, and Jordan Burch.
As Mackie noted, the 14% pressure rate would have been among the top defensive tackles had Nolen qualified. If the second-year lineman suits up for more than six games, his impact on the defense should be more felt.
Walter Nolen’s Pro Bowl Chances
Should Walter Nolen stay healthy, his chances of making the Pro Bowl are fairly good. If he can maintain that 14% pressure rate from the defensive tackle spot on a larger volume, that should help his chances.
Nolen told Mackie that he’s slimmed down 10 lbs. and is much more explosive coming off the ball. The Cardinals hope that allows him to stay disruptive in both the run and pass game.
Arizona hasn’t had a defensive tackle named to the Pro Bowl since 2015, when Calais Campbell earned the honors. Nolen has the type of talent to end that 10-season drought.
Cardinals Get Bold Walter Nolen Prediction for 2026