First-round pick wont feel settled until preseason games

Darren Urban

Walter Nolen IIInow hashis contract, as the 16th overall pick worth nearly $20 million guaranteed, but he is still a rookie, and with that status comes rookie duties.

"I've been trying to be proactive," Nolen said, "but when we get back (for training camp), I'm going to have a nice little setup."

The defensive tackle will have time to plan it out. The Cardinals are gone for the offseason, mostly scattered for the summer until training camp begins in a little more than a month. But the first-round pick has already accomplished the most important task of his post-draft status, impressing those who have watched him on an NFL field for his first weeks.

"His quickness, his pass rush, he's just fluid," veteran defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson said. "It comes natural. He's just a natural good defensive tackle. I'm happy I'm part of the process to help him improve."

Similar praise was earned by 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson, praise that continued into training camp until Robinson suffered his rookie-season-derailing calf injury in August.

Robinson is back and that's what makes the addition to Nolen intriguing. The Cardinals have veterans Tomlinson, Calais Campbell, Justin Jones, L.J. Collier, Bilal Nichols but defensive coordinator Nick Rallis is about piling up young disruptors to anchor his unit.

"You can really wreak havoc with that front," said Rallis, who called Nolen "coachable."

The reality of practice in May and June is that it isn't really football, especially for the linemen who need full contact in pads to truly understand their growth. (Coach Jonathan Gannon said defensive linemen have the advantage in the offseason because the offensive linemen can't grab on legally like they can in camp or the season.)

Campbell said as much when he said he can see how gifted Nolen is but he is reserving judgment until the pads come on. Nolen feels the same.

"I don't think I'll really feel settled in until we get through a couple of preseason games," Nolen said. "I've got to feel no-hold-barred and (that) we're just playing football."

Nolen like Robinson looks the part, showing off his ability working in individual drills when the media is watching. Campbell raved about Nolen's lateral quickness.

"I was telling him, that's one of the best parts of my game as well, my ability to go down the line fast," Campbell said.

That's been an area Nolen said he's worked on. He's also embraced the veterans' emphasis that a player's body is his "moneymaker" and needs to be tended to with care and maintenance.

There is a confidence in Nolen already. He doesn't feel like he has a steep learning curve, seeing it only as understanding why he's learning what he is learning in any particular situation.

The upgrades across the line mean Nolen doesn't have to star from Week 1. There are the vets, there is youth like Dante Stills, and there is Robinson,who is itching for his own time to shineas well.

To this, Nolen chuckles. He knows there is talent in the room. It doesn't mean his personal expectations shrink.

"I put the pressure on myself," Nolen said. "Nothing else fazes me. I come to work every day, and I feel like I'm just one piece of the puzzle in the defensive line room. And I feel like we are going to do great things this season."