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April 23, 2025
Walter Nolen NFL Draft: Strengthening their defensive line is the Cincinnati Bengals' top point going into the 2025 NFL Draft.
What is their most urgent need? A disruptive defensive tackle with three techs.
And now for Walter Nolen, the star of Ole Miss. Is he the solution at pick number 17?
Why Walter Nolen Makes Sense
The Bengals have been looking for consistency on their defensive front for a long time.
They need a player who can cause havoc in the backfield and explode off the field right away. That man could be Walter Nolen.
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Nolen recorded 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss during his time at Ole Miss last season.
He is excellent at finding openings and applying pressure to the quarterback. He plays with a relentless motor and is strong and physically fit.
A Perfect Partner for B.J. Hill
B.J. Hill recently signed a three-year contract extension with Cincinnati. But Hill needs help.
On the interior, Walter Nolen could end up being his perfect match. Hill has more one-on-one matchups now that Nolen draws double teams.
They could serve as the cornerstone of a defense built to slow down the main threats in the AFC North.
Given that the Bengals face elite offensive threats like Lamar Jackson and even contend with teams led by players such as Derrick Henry, the need for a dominant interior presence becomes all the more critical.
And that demand is met by Nolen's impressive skill set.
Any Reason to Pass?
The Bengals do have options, while Nolen fulfills a lot of needs. Instead, they might decide bolster the edge.
Alternatively, names like Shemar Turner or Omarr Norman-Lott may become available.
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Cincinnati could also trade down in order to get more picks. But would it be worth the risk to pass on Nolen?
Final Verdict
One of the best interior defensive linemen in this draft class is Walter Nolen. He brings top upside, power, and productivity.
Nolen should be a top priority for the Bengals if they are serious about improving their interior D-line. He offers value and fit at No. 17.
Cincinnati's talk about the "Walter Nolen NFL draft" is growing and with good reason.
He could be the game-changing component this defense has been missing.
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