Chicago Bears 2025 NFL Draft profile: Walter Nolen (2025)

Is there a definitive ‘top need’ for the Chicago Bears as they head into the 2025 NFL Draft?

You can argue a few, such as running back, offensive line, and EDGE rusher. Thankfully, through free agency, GM Ryan Poles has done his best to address what was an awful line in 2024. They may not have to take a tackle or guard as early as many thought they needed to a few months ago.

The pass rush still needs work, so an EDGE in the first few rounds is certainly a possibility. And with such a deep running back class, the Bears could opt to wait and take one later, especially if Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton are selected early. So what about defensive tackle?

Poles made a splash, and DT Grady Jarrett signed a lucrative, 3-year, 43.5 million-dollar contract with the Bears in March. Jarrett is still a very good interior lineman and will help mentor Gervon Dexter going forward. That being said, Jarrett will turn 32 years old later this month, and will likely start declining before he makes another All-Pro, so drafting another shouldn’t be out of the question.

DT Walter Nolen from Ole Miss has turned heads since his Senior Bowl outing, and rightfully so.

Walter Nolen is a name to watch for the Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft

NCAA Football: Kentucky at MississippiNCAA Football: Kentucky at Mississippi/Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Nolen is a player whose stock is rising with increased acceleration, and on tape, he is a true force at the defensive tackle position. As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, his name is popping up more and more across the league, and him going in the first round is a real possibility.

He transferred from Texas A&M to Ole Miss in 2024, where he made a name for himself racking up 6.5 sacks and 14 TFLs. As I wrote in my February mock draft a few months ago, Nolen is just as good in run defense as in pass and can line up anywhere from 0-5 technique. A perfect guy to learn behind Jarrett for a year or two, and help Dexter continue to progress.

The 6’4, 300-pound force Nolen also racked up 48 combined tackles, and 14 tackles for loss during his first and final season at Ole Miss. He also deflected 3 passes and recovered 2 fumbles, leading his way to a consensus All-American accolade.

Nolen may need a good situation around him, as some scouts across the league have concerns. The former Mississippi Rebel transferred many times in high school and played for 2 different schools in college. With today’s transfer culture being vastly different than in the past, I don’t foresee it being an issue. This is just what college football is now.

The “character issues” that have been rumored around Nolen have little to no substance. As we know, around draft time, these things seem to “randomly” pop up. We all remember the Jalen Carter debate a few years ago, and now we’re seeing it with Shedeur Sanders and others as well.

The obvious thing is this: the kid can play at a high level. That’s clear when you throw on his impressive tape.

Do the Chicago Bears need to draft a DT early in the 2025 NFL Draft?

NFL: Scouting CombineNFL: Scouting Combine, Walter Nolen. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The easy answer is no, especially when other needs are clear and talent will be there for them to select. Nolen would be a great investment for this defensive line, which still needs help even after the Jarrett acquisition. His motor and explosiveness could do a lot for the Bears pass rush.

However, he may be gone well before the Bears even consider him. If they trade back, he could be a target late in the first or early in the second, as that’s where many have him projected to go right now.

As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, it will be interesting to see how the organization strategizes with a new coach leading the way and likely a new philosophy being implemented.