ESPN\'s Peter Schrager has projected Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen to the San Francisco 49ers with the 11th overall pick in his latest mock draft, highlighting the prospect\'s dramatic rise up draft boards in recent weeks.
Nolen, who transferred to Ole Miss from Texas A&M following the 2023 season, has emerged as one of the fastest-rising prospects throughout the pre-draft process. The athletic defensive lineman started 14 games over two seasons with the Aggies before joining Lane Kiffin\'s Rebels for the 2024 campaign.
According to Schrager, Nolen\'s combination of quickness and power as an interior defender has captured the attention of NFL talent evaluators, potentially positioning him to be selected ahead of more widely recognized defensive tackle prospects like Mason Graham.
Despite his impressive physical traits and athletic upside, Nolen is considered one of the draft\'s biggest boom-or-bust prospects, presenting both significant potential and risk for teams considering him in the first round.
The 49ers, who hold the 11th pick in the upcoming draft, could view Nolen as a high-upside addition to their defensive front as they look to maintain their strength in the trenches for another Super Bowl push.
\"I\'d be shocked if Nolen fell out of the top 15 at this point -- he might be the fastest riser in this draft,\" Schrager wrote. \"He\'s quick, is a people mover and has had a great predraft process. Everyone is focused on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, but Nolen is the Rebels\' prospect I hear about more.\"