NFL Insiders Reportedly Question Walter Nolen's 'Sense of Entitlement' Ahead of Draft

Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen's "practice habits and sense of entitlement" have reportedly been questioned, per a report from Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, who also offered up some concerns about Tennessee edge-rusher James Pearce Jr.

"Two of the more fascinating prospects this year are Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen and Tennessee DE James Pearce Jr. Both have faced character questions. Nolen’s practice habits and sense of entitlement have been questioned, while Pearce is seen as a bit edgy, and had a reputation for being divisive in college.

"But both are wildly talented. Nolen is seen by many I’ve talked to as the highest ceiling defensive tackle in the class. Pearce has burst and get-off as a pass rusher that only Abdul Carter can match.

"The feeling I’ve gotten from most folks I’ve talked to is that, for both guys, going to the right place will be vital. As we wrote Monday in our needs column, I believe Nolen comes into play right outside the top 10, with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins potential landing spots. Pearce, I think, could go as high as 15th to the Atlanta Falcons. Because of the questions, though, each guy could also slide. So there’s a wide range of outcomes for both."

After two years at Texas A&M, Nolen shined last year at Ole Miss, amassing 48 tackles and six-and-a-half sacks. The final B/R NFL Scouting Department big board lists Nolen as the 14th overall prospect and No. 2 defensive tackle. The latest mock has Nolen at No. 22 to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Every year, random character concerns pop up about prospects. Some could very well be legit, but some also go way too far and seem entirely too judgmental, like when Cam Newton was accused of having a "fake smile."

Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell, who went in the second round of last year's draft to the Colts, got pegged with some negative pre-draft talk. Colts general manager Chris Ballard didn't take kindly to it.

"That's such [bulls--t]," Ballard said (h/t Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports). "I mean, it [f---ing] is. It's [bulls--t]. Like, put your name on it. We tear these young men down. These are 21, 22-year-old men and if people out there can tell me they're perfect in their lives it's crap. It's crap. This is a good kid and for those reports to come out, I said it last year, it's [bulls--t]."

Now it appears Nolen (and Pearce) are subject of such talk. Frankly, fans don't know who they are as people. NFL teams can get an idea in combine meetings and pre-draft visits, but even they can't get quite a full picture.

The bottom line is the pre-draft character concern stuff should always be taken with a massive great of salt, both in the present and in the future. Sure, it's a different case if there are legal issues at the forefront, but judgments on character can be tough to take when you don't truly know the person.