No matter how bad the season goes sometimes, good players tend to show their face through the mud.
Michael Wilson was that player in 2025 and Pro Football Focus has called their shot with Walter Nolen in 2026.
“Nolen showed some encouraging flashes during his rookie season in Arizona, but he played just 169 snaps, limiting his overall impact,“ says PFF analyst Gordon McGuinness.“ He generated 15 pressures on 99 pass-rushing snaps, earned an 80.1 PFF pass-rush grade and recorded at least three pressures in three of
the four games in which he had 15 or more pass-rushing snaps. The key for Nolen will be staying on the field, but if he can, there’s a chance he emerges as Arizona’s best defensive player by the end of the season. ”
Nolen was once regarded as a top-three pick in the 2025 draft prior to his final collegiate season, so you know there were those elite flashes that completely sold him on numerous scouts and analysts.
Can he stay healthy and put it all together in 2026? Let us know your thoughts below!
Cardinals News:
Check out the latest edition of the Cardinals mailbag (AZCardinals.com)
The latest buzz from Cardinals training camp and their upcoming joint practices (AZCardinals.com)
One Cardinals player has stood out during the preseason, per Pro Football Focus (Cards Wire)
NFL News:
Multiple brawls broke out during the joint practice between the Saints and Cowboys (ESPN)
Meet the players who made this year’s All-Overpaid Team (CBS Sports)
These are the top 10 players gunning for the Comeback Player of the Year award (NFL.com)
