Last week, the Vikings had the chance to evaluate a wide range of draft prospects at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL. Among them, Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen likely made the biggest impression, standing out as the type of disruptive force the Vikings have been missing on their interior line for years.
In ESPN’s latest 2025 mock draft, Matt Miller has the Vikings selecting Nolen at No. 24 overall. Filling gaps on both the offensive and defensive lines will be a top priority for Minnesota this offseason, regardless of the quarterback decision.
Nolen’s talent makes him an ideal pick here. His performance at the Senior Bowl was a major highlight, as he showcased his signature speed and gap-splitting ability, while also adding a surprising element of power that wasn’t always evident on his tape. The Vikings may pursue a 3-technique in free agency, but Nolen would seamlessly fit into Brian Flores’ defensive scheme if they decide to allocate that money elsewhere.
Walter Nolen
Nolen, who was the No. 2 high school recruit in 2022 behind only Travis Hunter, initially chose Texas A&M. After a quiet freshman year, he turned things around with a standout sophomore season, recording four sacks and nine tackles for loss.
But it was his transfer to Mississippi that truly unlocked his potential, as he racked up 6.5 sacks, 14 TFLs, and three batted passes, earning All-American honors. His rise has solidified him as a likely first-round pick. While he’s not without flaws—sometimes getting too high in his stance and needing to refine his pass-rush moves—his impressive Senior Bowl performance has made it less likely he’ll fall out of the top 20.
The Vikings haven’t had a star defensive tackle capable of rushing the passer like Nolen since Kevin Williams’ prime nearly 15 years ago. While free agency may provide an opportunity to address this, adding someone of Nolen’s caliber would still be too tempting to pass up if he’s available at No. 24.
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