TEMPE — NFL rookies truly have their work cut out for them early on.
On top of nailing down a foreign playbook, connecting with new teammates and coaches, and figuring out the daily operations of the franchise. And there’s the obvious: Rookies have to learn a new city in a short amount of time.
Reminder: The 2025 NFL Draft was less than two months ago.
It’s sink or swim, with informational overload always possible. Cardinals first-round pick Walter Nolen III said Monday that he is staying afloat just fine as keeps “the main thing the main thing.”
“Just keep your feet where you are,” Nolen said Monday. “Don’t let nothing get too big.”
What’s Cardinals rookie Walter Nolen III’s thoughts on the Arizona heat so far?
“I’m loving it. Getting that vitamin D in.” ☀️ pic.twitter.com/Tp3Fn3uiO4
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) June 16, 2025
As is with most good rookies, it starts with being a sponge within your position room.
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Across Arizona’s roster, there might not be a better group to learn from than its revamped defensive line.
Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson bring loads of football knowledge from their lengthy NFL careers. Darius Robinson has added relatability being a recent first-rounder, while Dante Stills is coming off his best season as a pro.
“Everyday things, how they take care of their body, what they eat, just their daily routines. Just taking something from everybody and just adding it to my pot,” Nolen said.
“I feel like (Campbell and Tomlinson) are going to take me to where I need to get. They on the backend of their careers, so I feel like they’ll put me in a spot that they wish they were at.”
But while there’s plenty to learn on the field from his teammates, Nolen is picking up just how important the work away from the grass is, whether it be extra time in the cold tub, hitting the sauna, or utilizing the training room that much more.
Can’t forget about nutrition, either.
“Just take care of your body. That’s your money maker, so just make sure your body prepared every day to handle what’s going on,” Nolen said.
As for what he hopes his new teammates have learned about him?
He may not be the most talkative but Cardinals rookie Walter Nolen III knows what he’s here for:
“I know what I’m going to bring to the table.” pic.twitter.com/vjdb2M7W7o
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) June 16, 2025
“I’m not the most talkative person, but every day I’m going to come in and I’m going to handle my handle. I’m not one of those people that you are going to have to worry about what’s going on.
“I know what I’m here for and I know what I’m going to bring to the table.”
Walter Nolen ‘pretty excited for himself’ after Calais Campbell’s praise
We’re far from seeing the Cardinals put the pads on with training camp weeks out.
That hasn’t stopped Campbell from seeing similarities between himself and 38 years old and the rookie, mainly Nolen’s lateral quickness. That’s one heck of an acknowledgment coming from the active NFL leader in tackles for loss with 187.
Cardinals veteran Calais Campbell pinpointed Walter Nolen III’s lateral quickness as an early takeaway on the rookie.
Nolen’s reaction?
“To hear that from a good vet, I’m pretty excited for myself.” pic.twitter.com/3sGT5Iiek8
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) June 16, 2025
“I would say it was something I worked on,” Nolen said. “The year prior, I was told that my lateral quickness wasn’t the best.
“To hear that from a good vet, I mean, I’m pretty excited for myself.”
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