Walter Nolen Reportedly 'Red-Hot' NFL Draft Riser, Focus of 'Rampant' Panthers Buzz

Defensive lineman Walter Nolen is reportedly a name to watch during Thursday's NFL draft.

"Nolen has been a red-hot riser in the days leading up to the draft as the Panthers, 49ers and Cowboys were all connected to him by scouts," ESPN's Matt Miller wrote Wednesday. "Smoke screen? Maybe, but chatter connecting Carolina to Nolen was rampant Wednesday."

The Carolina Panthers have the No. 8 overall pick and may look to bolster their defensive front with the Ole Miss product.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranked Nolen as the 14th-best overall player and second-best defensive lineman behind Michigan's Mason Graham in its latest big board of prospects. It also called Nolen the most versatile defensive lineman in the class, suggesting he could play in various spots along the front.

He started his collegiate career at Texas A&M but transferred to the Rebels and turned in a dominant 2024 campaign.

The defensive tackle was a consensus All-American while posting 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, three passes defended and two fumble recoveries. He consistently faced double teams and either fought his way through them or opened up blitzing lanes for his teammates to make plays on the outside.

The versatility to line up either inside or on the outside is particularly valuable in the NFL for a defensive lineman looking to remain on the field for all three downs, and the Panthers could take a pick-the-best-player available approach as they look to improve on their 5-12 record in 2024.

Whether they believe the best player available at No. 8 will be Nolen will ultimately depend on how the draft unfolds, but he has at least caught their eye leading up to Thursday's first round.