Rookie DL Walter Nolen III has impressed Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis so far
Rookie DL Walter Nolen III has impressed Arizona Cardinals DC Nick Rallis so far Nolen, the Cardinals' top draft pick, has shown exactly what he needs to so far this offseason.
As the Arizona Cardinals progress through their offseason program, the coaches get to see how their rookie class handles preparing for their first NFL season. The Cardinals' first-round pick, defensive tackle Walter Nolen III, has shown defensive coordinator Nick Rallis what he should so far.
Rallis, speaking to the media on Tuesday after the team's first practice of their final week of voluntary OTAs, noted he has been impressed with Nolen thus far.
"I knew he was gonna be the talent that we saw on tape, but I would say he's very coachable, great to work with," Rallis said. "You see him take those coaching points immediately to the field, whether that's an individual or when going against the offense. And I can tell he studies hard outside the building because he's got things down pretty fast. So pretty impressive so far."
Because full contact in practice is not allowed until training camp when pads go on, coaches never get a true gauge of how players in the trenches will do until then. All they can look at right now is preparation, the ability to process information and technique on the field.
It would appear that Nolen is more than what he should be so far. That's all we can expect for now.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
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