Why Keldric Faulk has a case for best player in the class

Keldric Faulk

Position: Defensive Line
Class: Junior
School: Auburn
Height: 6'6" | Weight: 288 lbs

Mark Kinley

Overview

Keldric Faulk, a defensive lineman for Auburn, emerged to me as a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to his rare blend of size (6'6", 288 lbs), athleticism, and versatility. Originally a four-star recruit who flipped from Florida State to Auburn, Faulk made an early impact and steadily evolved from a rotational freshman (8 starts) into a full-time starter and leader on the Tigers’ defense. He enters the 2025 college football season extremely high on my board (No. 2) — and for good reason. A lengthy, versatile defender, Faulk put together a productive sophomore season, while showcasing his ability to disrupt both the run (45 total tackles, including 11 TFL’s and 23 run stops), and the pass (7 sacks, 45 pressures) from multiple alignments. With his expanding role, relentless motor, and continued development, he’s a legitimate first-round talent and one of the most complete defensive prospects in the country.

Strengths

• Measurables: Faulk’s size is more than just a measurement; he plays with long, active arms that consistently impact both the run and pass game. He controls gaps and creates leverage advantages at will.

• High Motor: Rare endurance and effort levels. Even in late drives when offensive linemen are fatigued, Faulk maintains top-end effort. He often finds production in crucial moments due to his conditioning and motor.

• Suffocating Tackler: A true finisher who brings down ball carriers with authority. He’s a violent, technically sound tackler who rarely misses in space or in the trenches.

• Versatility: Despite being nearly 290 pounds, Faulk lines up effectively across the defensive front—whether as a base end, interior rusher, or standing edge.

• Malicious Strikes: Explosive hand strikes that jolt blockers on contact. Has a developing repertoire including spin moves, rips, swims, and clubs.

• Strong Leverage: Excellent upper-body strength. Frequently holds his ground against double teams and maintains leverage against bigger interior linemen.

• Burst off the line: Despite some perceptions, Faulk has an explosive get-off. Times the snap well and wins reps off the edge with pure burst and speed-to-power transitions.

• Hand Usage: Keeps blockers at an arm's reach away with his long arms and active hands. Excellent at disengaging and finishing plays.

• Tracks Ball carriers well: Maintains gap integrity and tracks ball carriers well. Rarely out of position even when shifting fronts or adjusting post-snap, also does a fantastic job of getting to the QB in pursuit.

Areas to improve/slight concerns

• Bend: Faulk isn’t the most flexible edge rusher. His pass-rush ceiling is slightly capped due to limited bend—he wins more through power, explosiveness, and angles than flexibility.

• Counter Development: While he flashes creativity, he leans on his bull rush when his initial move or first attack fails. Needs more fluidity and variation in his secondary moves. The more experience he gets as a pass rusher, the more advanced his plans and attacks will become.

  
  

Grade (Pre-2025 Season):

Early First (Top 5 pick)

Outside of Caleb Downs—who looks like a generational safety prospect—Keldric Faulk may be the most complete player in the 2026 draft class. His NFL projection is bolstered by a high floor (thanks to size, run defense, and motor) and a high ceiling if he continues to refine his pass-rush skill set and leverage discipline.

While a QB-heavy class may keep him from being the No. 1 overall pick, Faulk is a legitimate top-10 lock with a real shot to crack the top five, especially for teams valuing defensive versatility and power-based trench play. If he takes the next leap—particularly in footwork, countering, and pad-level consistency—there’s no reason he can’t be one of the first defensive names off the board in 2026.