The Green Bay Packers could look to replace one of the biggest losses on defense early in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

On a roster with few glaring deficiencies on either side of the ball, TJ Slaton’s departure, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals early in free agency could push defensive tackle up general manager Brian Gutekunst’s hierarchy of needs to address early in the draft.

Slaton, 27, is fresh off a 30-tackle 2024 season with one sack and five tackles for loss, production that Green Bay may turn to an incoming rookie to replace.

Could Green Bay Packers Target Walter Nolen With No. 23 Pick?

Given the need along the defensive line, combined with Gutekunst’s mission to build a defensive line capable of generating relentless front-four pressure, Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen could be a target to watch for the Packers in Round 1.

In CBS Sports NFL analyst Josh Edwards’ latest mock draft projection, that’s exactly how things play out, with Nolen holding up a Packers jersey alongside NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“Odds are good,” Edwards writes for CBS. “That Green Bay will use its first-round pick on the defensive side of the ball, and the defensive line is a good place to start in the wake of T.J. Slaton’s departure.”

Nolen, 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, is a disruptive force up front.

Last season, Nolen posted 6.5 sacks with 48 total tackles and a pair of fumble recoveries.

“Nobody questions how talented he is,” an NFC Scout told NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein. “And how hard he plays. Super twitched up and really explosive.”

Nolen could become a centerpiece of Jeff Hafley’s defensive line and perhaps among the steals of the draft if the Packers are able to come away with him as their first-round selection.

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