Steelers Now
Mock draft season is in full swing and it’s time to give the people what they want. Today, the Pittsburgh Steelers brass will arrive in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine and continue doing their homework on a talented crop of prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
We are still very early in the team building process seeing as free agency hasn’t happened yet but we do have a general idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the team to the point where we can at least draw conclusions as to which positions they’ll target. Speaking of needs, this is a team with some pretty important ones to fill.
For necessary context, this mock draft is conducted under the assumption that the Steelers acquire a starting caliber wide receiver and cornerback before draft weekend arrives. Figuring out a stopgap option at quarterback is at the top of the priority list but they’ll have plenty of cash flow to make a couple more substantial upgrades even if they aren’t the flashy ones that get people jumping for joy.
Without further ado, here we go!
Opinions will vary on Nolen’s place within the first round but the tape shows a player that can pay off that type of investment and then some. After transferring from Texas A&M, Nolen’s production saw an major uptick, nearly doubling his quarterback pressures from the prior season and started to look like the force we all expected him to be as the top recruit out of high school.
He wins with an impressive combination of quick twitch and raw strength, with a pass rush plan that appears to be rapidly developing. As a junior, you saw him flex calculated footwork to get blockers off balance and subsequently set up different pass rush moves (cross-chop, club-rip, side scissors) and the lower body flexibility to continue surging through the rush phase. As a run defender, Nolen can dismantle blocks with heavy hands while having both the lateral range and red-hot motor to run plays down horizontally to the perimeter.
There's 1-2 reps a game where Walter Nolen looks like he's the baddest dude on the planet. pic.twitter.com/w2pC1m98R9
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) January 28, 2025
His primary weaknesses such as inconsistent pad level and less than ideal anchor ability were negated by how slant heavy their front was in college, a luxury that won’t be afforded to him at the next level. Still, his lack of size shouldn’t be a significant hindrance to keeping him on the field and you are drafting this dude based on his ability to rush the passer.
His interviews with front offices at the combine will be a highly critical part of his evaluation. While far from a finished product, the flashes are extremely enticing, making him a three-down contributor right away but whether or not he morphs into a true difference maker in the trenches will...
