Walter Nolen’s Pre-Draft Profile
Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen did not participate in athletic testing at his pro day, leaving him with an incomplete pre-draft profile. Nolen is among a group of projected first-round prospects who have similarly skipped the full range of testing before the draft.
Testing Gaps and Historical Concerns
Other potential first-round selections, including defensive end Nick Scourton, tight end Colston Loveland, running back Ashton Jeanty, and tight end Tyler Warren, also did not complete athletic testing. Although thorough testing is not always seen as essential when a team’s evaluation is strong, previous experiences with players lacking complete profiles have proven costly. High draft capital was once used on players with incomplete evaluations who later did not meet expectations, a cautionary chapter for the Bengals.
Drills and On-Field Performance
Despite the absence of full athletic testing, Nolen completed position-specific drills as part of the pro day activities. Notably, he managed 27 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press. His performance in these drills underscores his potential to contribute at a high level, reinforcing his status as a legitimate candidate for a premium draft selection.
Balancing Risk and Reward
The Bengals face a historical dilemma when investing draft capital on players with incomplete testing profiles. The organization has previously demonstrated a willingness to look past missing combine data when other evaluations are promising. However, past experiences with similar players casting doubts on long-term production add an element of risk to their decision-making process. As the draft approaches, the Bengals will need to weigh these factors carefully, balancing the potential upside with the historical pitfalls of incomplete profiles.
