Steelers Land Explosive Defensive Tackle in New Mock Draft
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports has the Pittsburgh Steelers landing Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen at 21st overall in his latest mock draft. Nolen is Wilson’s 17th-ranked player in this year’s class and second-best defensive tackle, behind only Michigan’s Mason Graham.
“This defensive line class is incredibly deep and in previous years Nolen probably goes off the board a little higher. Either way, he explodes off the ball while also being strong as an ox,” Wilson wrote. “At 6-foot-4, 300 pounds, he won’t be mistaken for, say, Dexter Lawrence, but don’t be fooled; he can play stout against double teams, and is quick to get off blocks and get to the ball.”
Nolen did not participate in any testing or drills at the 2025 NFL Combine. At his pro day, he only participated in the bench press. He put up 27 reps, which would have been among the leaders at defensive tackle at the combine. Jordan Phillips of Maryland led the class with 29. Three players had 28.
Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl was the only team personnel spotted at the Mississippi pro day.
Nolen also had a strong week at the 2025 Senior Bowl, where the Steelers top brass, including Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin all scouted him in person, and he met with the team.
Before transferring to Mississippi, Nolen spent two seasons at Texas A&M, where had 66 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks one pass defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in two seasons.
Nolen is currently the No. 26 player on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board, just behind the Steelers first-round pick at No. 21 overall.
The Steelers have brought in seven defensive lineman for pre-draft visits. Pittsburgh is also hosting Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander for a pre-draft visit.
Oregon’s Derrick Harmon visited with the team last week, but Nolen and Michigan’s Kenneth Grant have not visited the South Side facility. If all of the reported visits take place, one of Nolen or Grant won’t be making a trip to Pittsburgh before the draft.
Steelers president Art Rooney II hinted during an interview with Bob Pompeani of KDKA this offseason that defensive line is a top priority in the draft.
“On the defensive line, we probably need to get younger there,” Rooney said. “We’re fortunate to have (Cam Heyward) but we may need to look to have some young blood there this year.”
In the third round, Wilson had the Steelers picking Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.
Howard is an intriguing prospect. He helped lead the Buckeyes to a College Football National Championship while throwing for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2024. He also rushed for 226 yards and seven more scores.
Before transferring to Ohio State in 2024, Howard played at Kansas State for four years, two of which he was the starter. During those two seasons, he threw for 4,276 yards, 39 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Howard currently ranks as the consensus No. 90 overall player and sixth best quarterback on the NFL Mock Draft Database big board.