The Dallas Cowboys, one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, are facing a classic conundrum as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches. Buzz is building around an electrifying defensive prospect out of Ole Miss, and insiders suggest that the Cowboys front office—led by longtime owner and general manager Jerry Jones—is enamored with his potential. But while the player’s talent is undeniable, whispers around league circles have raised flags about what his addition could mean for locker room chemistry, team dynamics, and even the Cowboys’ defensive identity.
Let’s dive into the complex mix of optimism, risk, and high-stakes decision-making surrounding Dallas’ interest in this Ole Miss standout.
The Player in Question: Walter Nolan, DT, Ole Miss
Walter Nolan, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound defensive tackle who transferred to Ole Miss after a solid stint at Texas A&M, has rocketed up draft boards after a dominant 2024 campaign. Known for his explosive first step, elite strength, and surprising agility for a man of his size, Nolan was a nightmare for opposing offensive lines in the SEC last season. He racked up 12.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and countless disruptions that never showed up on the stat sheet.
Nolan’s impact was felt far beyond numbers. He was a true disruptor—a player offensive coordinators had to game-plan around. His presence opened up lanes for edge rushers and forced quarterbacks into hurried throws, changing the complexion of every game he played.
Cowboys scouts have reportedly graded Nolan as one of the top five defensive players in the entire draft. Dan Quinn, though now departed to Washington, reportedly loved Nolan’s fit in a 4-3 system, and current defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer—known for coaching dominant D-lines in Minnesota—has been lobbying Jones hard.
So what’s the issue?
Red Flags Emerge
For all of Nolan’s undeniable talent, there are persistent concerns that have followed him from high school into college—and now into the NFL Draft process.
1. Personality Fit
Sources inside the NFL have characterized Nolan as “intense,” “alpha-minded,” and at times “overly confrontational.” While he’s not accused of any off-field legal trouble, there have been internal clashes at both of his college stops. Some former coaches have described him as “strong-willed to a fault,” occasionally brushing off coaching in favor of what he feels works best for him.
On one hand, this can be seen as confidence and competitiveness. On the other, multiple teams have questioned whether Nolan will fit into a locker room culture that already has its own established pecking order—particularly in Dallas, where veteran stars like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs command respect and set the tone.
One NFC executive, speaking anonymously, put it bluntly: “If you’re going to draft Walter Nolan, you better have a locker room full of leaders. Otherwise, he’ll try to be one—and that can go sideways quick.”
2. Positional Fit
There’s also a tactical concern about how Nolan fits into Dallas’ current defensive scheme. The Cowboys have spent recent drafts fortifying the edge with players like Sam Williams and Mazi Smith. Adding Nolan might give them too many mouths to feed on the line, and could force a re-shuffling that upends a defense that—while inconsistent late in 2024—was among the league’s best for much of the season.
Mike Zimmer prefers disciplined, assignment-sound linemen who don’t freelance. Nolan has a reputation for occasionally abandoning gap responsibilities in favor of chasing splash plays. That’s something that might not sit well with Zimmer, who has little patience for defensive lapses.
Jerry Jones: Torn Between Talent and Team
Jerry Jones has always been a risk-taker. From his bold move to hire Jimmy Johnson in 1989 to his selection of Dez Bryant despite red flags, Jones thrives in chaos. He’s known for loving star power and athleticism, even when it comes with a price.
By all accounts, Nolan checks every box Jones covets: big-school pedigree, SEC production, physical tools, and charisma. At the recent Ole Miss Pro Day, Jones was reportedly glued to Nolan’s workout. One scout quipped, “Jerry was watching him like he was already wearing the star.”
But inside The Star in Frisco, not everyone is on board.
Several high-ranking voices in the Cowboys’ personnel department have reportedly warned Jones that drafting Nolan could create the kind of internal friction the team hasn’t experienced since the volatile Greg Hardy experiment in 2015.
Unlike Hardy, Nolan doesn’t bring legal baggage—but the warning signs are about character fit, not crime. For a team on the verge of Super Bowl contention, disrupting chemistry is a serious concern.
The Locker Room Dynamic
The Cowboys have built a fragile, but talented, ecosystem on defense. Micah Parsons is the heart and soul of the unit. He plays with unmatched energy, speaks freely to the media, and sets the culture in practice. He’s respected—and sometimes feared.
Adding Nolan, another dominant personality with aspirations of leadership, could either complement or clash with Parsons. Some insiders believe the two could form a terrifying tandem and push each other to greatness. Others fear a power struggle.
“It’s like dropping a wolf into another pack’s territory,” one Cowboys insider said. “It either blends in and strengthens the group, or it ends in blood.”
Weighing the Risk Against the Reward
The Cowboys have not advanced past the Divisional Round of the playoffs since 1995. In 2024, a disappointing loss to the Packers exposed lingering issues in run defense—precisely the area where Nolan would help most. If Dallas wants to compete with San Francisco and Philadelphia in the NFC, they need to be better in the trenches.
And yet, chemistry matters. The 2022 Buffalo Bills are a cautionary tale: a talented team whose locker room began unraveling thanks to internal tension and communication breakdowns. Dallas cannot afford that kind of implosion.
This leaves Jones with a delicate question:
Is the potential ceiling of Walter Nolan—perhaps the next Chris Jones or Quinnen Williams—worth the potential cost of disrupting a Super Bowl-caliber locker room?
What Could Happen on Draft Day?
Currently, Dallas holds the 24th overall pick in the first round. Most draft analysts expect Nolan to be off the board by then. But the Cowboys are reportedly considering a bold move: trading up.
If Nolan slips past the top 12 picks, Dallas may package a combination of picks and players to move up. One rumored deal involves moving up to No. 13 (currently held by the Las Vegas Raiders) by offering their first-round pick, a third-rounder, and wide receiver Jalen Tolbert.
But this is not a unanimous plan.
Some in the organization favor staying put and selecting a safer option—perhaps a cornerback or offensive lineman—while others fear missing out on a generational defensive tackle will haunt the franchise for years.
What the Players Are Saying
While no Cowboys player has commented publicly on Nolan, there have been some cryptic social media posts.
Micah Parsons recently posted on X:
“Iron sharpens iron. But don’t bring a hammer to a sword fight.”
Some interpreted this as a warning to the front office—Parsons likes his role and doesn’t want it challenged. Others believe it’s a show of confidence, suggesting he’d welcome any challenge.
Meanwhile, Trevon Diggs liked a tweet from a fan account suggesting that Dallas should “focus on DB depth and not chase egos.”
There’s clearly some tension brewing behind the scenes.
What Nolan is Saying
Walter Nolan has tried to rehabilitate his image during the pre-draft process. He’s been praised for his interviews with teams, showing more humility and professionalism than expected. He’s worked with PR consultants and former players to prepare for the media spotlight.
At the NFL Combine, Nolan addressed the rumors head-on:
“People think I’m difficult, but I just want to win. I hold myself to a high standard, and I expect the same from my teammates. I’m coachable, I’m passionate, and I’m ready to show the NFL who I am.”