Cardinals sign their draft jewel: Walter Nolen already has million-dollar contract

The Arizona Cardinals started their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, but before they got to work on the field, their front office was able to come to terms with one of the faces of the future. 

Cards have their man in the middle

The Cardinals and their first round pick, Walter Nolen, agreed to terms, which means the rookie was ready for the first day of minicamp. The 16th overall pick signed a four-year, $19.3 million deal with $10.7 of that guaranteed. 

The defensive end who spent two years at Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss last year was taken in the middle of the first round by a team that need a boost on the defensive end. He made the All-SEC first team after registering 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks and recovering two fumbles with the Rebels. Nolen was one of the top tackles in the draft and the Cardinals will be hoping that he can make an immediate impact to their defensive line. 

The Cardinals were a middle of the pack defense last year, but having an anchor in the middle of the defense that can rush the passer but also plug up the ground game is going to be key for Arizona. In the last decade the Cardinals have been to the playoffs just twice, and won just one of those games. Arizona has been to the Super Bowl just once in their long history, but they will be hoping that Nolen can help change that.