The Arizona Cardinals are witnessing substantial transformations within their team. Kyler Murray has moved to Minnesota, while Jeremiyah Love is now in Arizona. Nathaniel Hackett has taken the role of offensive coordinator under the leadership of Mike LaFleur, who is stepping in as head coach after serving as the Rams’ offensive coordinator.
Amid these offensive shifts, a noteworthy figure emerges on the defense: Walter Nolen III. Selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Nolen hails from Ole Miss following an impressive junior year. At Ole Miss, he earned consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC honors with 48 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries in 13 games.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 300 pounds, Nolen entered the league with high expectations. However, a calf injury placed him on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) just before training camp. Nolen’s debut came in Week 9 against the Cowboys, where he contributed four tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. In a later game against the Jaguars, he scored a touchdown from a fumble recovery. His season was curtailed by a knee injury in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, sidelining him with 11 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery over six games.
Looking ahead to 2026, Cardinals fans anticipate a fully fit Nolen. The knee issue, identified as a torn meniscus rather than the feared ACL tear, has not hindered his progress. He is already engaged in workouts at the team’s facility. This is promising as the team clears a path for him to shine, moving on from veteran Calais Campbell, who played 46% of defensive snaps last year.
The 2025 draft also brought Kaleb Proctor to the team, but he sustained a torn meniscus during OTAs. This development obliges more responsibility on Nolen and former first-round pick Darius Robinson. With defensive coordinator Nick Rallis staying in his role, the defensive scheme remains unchanged for Nolen. As he enters Week 1 in full health, the focus is back on his potential impact across an entire 17-game season.
If his brief rookie showings reflect his capabilities, the Cardinals may have secured a pivotal figure in their long-term defensive setup.
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