The Arizona Cardinals haven’t had many bright spots this season, but the rookies have had their moments.

Rookie cornerback Will Johnson has been one of the best corners in the NFL, defensive back Denzel Burke has played strong minutes, and linebacker Cody Simon has filled in a large role. However, rookie defensive tackle Walter Nolen III may be the most exciting of them all, even though he’s only played in three games.

What Does Rookie Walter Nolen III Bring To the Cardinals?

Nolen was the 16th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but got injured during rookie training camp.

The first-round pick missed the first eight weeks of the season before making his NFL debut against the Dallas Cowboys.

In primetime, Nolen showed out. The Cardinals’ rookie had four tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hit, and a pass defended.

In his second game, Nolen had just two tackles and a quarterback hit and left the game against the Seahawks early with an injury.

However, he was active and played the entirety of Week 11 against the San Francisco 49ers and put on another show. The Cardinals’ defensive tackle had two tackles, two TFLs and a quarterback hit.

His Week 11 stats may not be as eye-popping as his Week 9 stats, but his impact was even larger. Nolen ranked No. 4 among all defensive tackles in Week 11, according to PFSN’s DT Impact.

“The pocket is affected whether it hits the stat sheet or not. He rushes with such high motor and just relentlessness to the quarterback,” Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis said. “I would even say on Sweaty’s (Josh Sweat) sack, Walt was a big part of that to flush him out high, as opposed to being able to step up. So, when Sweaty cornered, Brock (Purdy) was right there.”

Even though it’s been limited, Nolen’s performance through three weeks has been exactly what Arizona saw when it drafted him in the first round.

“It’s those type of plays, and then in the run game, honestly, plays strong, plays violent,” Rallis said. “The one thing that really stands out to me, I think I’ve said this before, is motor and violence with him. He plays a certain way, and we knew that, and he’s doing it right now.”

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The Cardinals’ defense has had a rough year, ranked No. 22 in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Defense Impact, but Nolen has been a bright spot in the last few weeks.

The rookie defensive tackle is a building block for the future, especially with Calias Campbell getting older. If the Cardinals can build around linebackers Baron Browning and Zaven Collins, edge rusher Josh Sweat, and Nolen, Arizona should have a strong front four for the future.