The Green Bay Packers should stop at nothing to strengthen their defensive line. Despite showing improvement against the run last year, they ranked 26th in pass rush win rate, and while their 45 sacks seem good on paper, nearly half of them—20—came from just three games.
Kenny Clark will carry a $31 million cap hit in 2026, while Devonte Wyatt will enter the final year of his rookie contract this season. Neither player is guaranteed to be on Green Bay’s roster beyond 2025—a concerning possibility given the number of tough decisions the team will have to address elsewhere.
Green Bay is taking proactive steps to ensure the interior of their defensive line is well-stocked for the future. That includes hosting a visit with a draft prospect who earned First-Team All-SEC honors in 2024.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, the Packers will meet with Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen on Tuesday.
Walter Nolen, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 high school class, began his collegiate career at Texas A&M. As a freshman, he appeared in 10 games (four starts), recording 29 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble. In 2023, he started 10 of 12 games, amassing 37 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, four sacks, and a pass breakup.
In 2024, Nolen transferred to Ole Miss, earning First-Team Associated Press All-American honors and First-Team All-SEC recognition. He tied for the team lead with 14 TFLs and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top offensive or defensive lineman. Nolen started all 13 games, recording 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and three pass breakups.
Walter Nolen is an under-the-radar candidate for Green Bay's first-round pick. At 286 pounds, he is undersized for the Packers' typical interior defensive linemen. However, with Green Bay struggling to generate pressure with larger bodies, Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley could be looking to add speed rushers instead of relying on power rush types upfront.
