The Arizona Cardinals could add a defensive lineman in this year's NFL draft in the first round. It is the position mostly likely to de drafted first by the Cardinals, per recent betting odds.
And in the latest mock draft by NFL Media's Bucky Brooks, that's exactly what they do.
With the 16th pick in the draft, Brooks has the Cardinals selecting Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen.
The high-energy interior defender fits the Cardinals' defensive culture as a worker bee at the point of attack.
Nolen is nearly 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds. He did not test at the combine. He was al All-American in 2024 with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss to go with his 48 total tackles. He is disruptive and plays with motor.
There are whispers of off-the-field issues and motivation and some have suggested that perhaps the Cardinals have taken him off their draft board.
The Cardinals have a solid six-man group for their defensive line currently after re-signing L.J. Collier and adding veteran Dalvon Tomlinson. Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols should return from season-ending injuries, Dante Stills enters his third season and 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson is ready to make an impact.
Taking Nolen would mean a first-round defensive lineman for the second straight year, and, if he is as good as he can be, the pairing of him and Robinson could be a problem for opposing offenses.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Buck Brooks' new mock draft has Arizona Cardinals landing D-lineman
