The Kansas City Chiefs must add young prospects with starting-level potential to their defense through the 2025 NFL draft. The unit needs a pass rushing force along the defensive line capable of taking some pressure off Chris Jones. Ole Miss Rebels defensive tackle Walter Nolen could become a top four player on Kansas City’s defense in his first few years in the NFL.
Nolen is a 21-year-old former five-star recruit with immense athletic potential. He explodes off the line to quickly draw even with the guard’s shoulder. This gives him value shooting gaps and creating quick disruption in the backfield.
Nolen channels excellent power through his hands. His initial strike disrupts the offensive lineman’s pad level and anchor, allowing Nolen to immediately take control of the play. Some hip stiffness shows up on film, but he possesses enough bend to win around tight angles. His powerful clubs break the offensive lineman’s base and create free lanes to the quarterback.
Walter Nolen (#2) doing Jalen Carter type stuff pic.twitter.com/P8VoXac3XB
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 28, 2025
Nolen’s pass rush plan includes club-swims, cross-chops, euro steps, long-arms and rips. He needs to develop a deeper bag of moves and add some refined hand counters. Nolen’s hands remain active throughout the play but often lack a plan. This area of his game needs to mature at the NFL level.
Nolen lacks the quick processing and instincts to consistently make big plays in run defense, but his athleticism and motor give him a high ceiling if he puts everything together. Nolen uses his power to reset the line of scrimmage against single blockers or muscle between double teams. He plays with a high pad level that limits his ability to create displacement but maintains his balance at the point of attack.
Some analysts question Nolen’s maturity and effort, but he hustles in pursuit to chase down running backs. He uses his powerful hands to generate pop on contact and redirect to the football. Nolen must become more consistent at maintaining gap integrity instead of focusing on penetrating.
Nolen’s physical talent ranks among the 15 best in the 2025 NFL draft, but his raw technical profile turned some teams off during the pre-draft process. He might slip to the Chiefs at pick 31.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2025 NFL draft scouting report: Ole Miss Rebels DT Walter Nolen
