Yeah, I think the “slept-on” narrative about Walter Nolen is outdated at this point. After his Senior Bowl performance, everyone should be well aware of his talent. His blend of size, power, and quickness makes him a disruptive force, and the Quinnen Williams comparison from Daniel Jeremiah just adds to the hype.
If the 49ers want to rebuild their defensive front, targeting a dominant interior presence like Nolen makes perfect sense. Saleh’s defenses have thrived with elite defensive tackles—he had DeForest Buckner in San Francisco before and Williams in New York. If the 49ers draft Nolen, he’d immediately give them a powerful young piece to build around.
Do you think Nolen would be their best option at No. 11, or would you prefer they go after an edge rusher instead?
That’s a good point. If Nolen shows out at the Combine—especially in the agility and explosiveness drills—his stock could skyrocket. Interior disruptors with his skill set don’t last long on draft boards, and teams picking in the top 10 will take notice.
Williams was a dominant force coming out of Alabama, but Nolen has a similar ceiling if he continues trending upward. If he tests well, I could see a team like the Chargers (at No. 5) or the Titans (at No. 7) taking him. Even the Bears at No. 9 might consider him if they prioritize the defensive line over adding another offensive weapon.
If Nolen does jump into the top 5-10 range, who do you think the 49ers should target instead at No. 11?
