September 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive lineman Walter Nolen (2) waits for the snap during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Jacksonville chose a second-round pick this year for an interior defensive lineman, Maason Smith, whose rookie season was largely disappointing due to an ankle injury and two healthy scratches before getting injured.
It doesn't help the Jaguars that the signing of defensive lineman Arik Armstead in free agency and the move from defensive tackle to edge rusher have been disappointing so far.
Perhaps the Jaguars will switch Armstead to three-technique in the future, and there is room for Smith to develop into a quality player. But as things stand, defensive tackle remains a weak spot for Jacksonville, which is why Ole Miss' Walter Nolen is our pick at the top of the second round.
Nolen, 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, began his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss this year. He has recorded a total of 98 tackles, nine sacks, 20 tackles for loss, three passes defended and one forced fumble, including 32 tackles, four sacks, eight tackles for loss and two pass breakups in 32 games between the schools.
Nolen's 91.2 (out of 100) PFF run defense grade this season marks by far the highest of his college career. He also recorded a career-high single-season total with 25 quarterback pressures in 10 games.
