Colts take Senior Bowl standout at DT in recent 2025 NFL mock draft
Nolen was listed as one of Daniel Jeremiah's 12 standouts at this year's Senior Bowl.
Listed at 6-3 – 305, the 2024 season was Nolen's first at Ole Miss after playing two seasons at Texas A&M. He finished the season with 35 pressures, including six sacks, and was one of the best run defenders in college football by PFF's metrics–ranking second in run defense grade and third in run-stop rate.
'His power and quickness off the snap are his main attributes, and the Colts could use an injection of aggression,' wrote Dodson. 'Nolen was a disruptive force against both the run and pass in the SEC.'
This is an interesting selection. With DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Laiatu Latu, and Kwity Paye up front, there are certainly more pressing needs that the Colts could address with their first round selection.
But having said that, as I detailed recently, improved defensive tackle depth is a must this offseason. For one, the Colts pass rush as a whole ranked 22nd in pressure rate and 26th in sacks, but when Buckner and Stewart weren't on the field, opposing offenses often feasted in the run game.
Taven Bryan is set to be a free agent once again this offseason and Raekwon Davis is a potential cut candidate for the Colts as well.
For what it's worth, GM Chris Ballard did say during his season-ending press conference that he thought the play of the defensive front was 'pretty good' last season–so perhaps that tells us that this position group isn't on his radar early on, which again, doesn't come as a huge surprise.
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