2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Keldric Faulk (EDGE – Auburn)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Keldric Faulk

Keldric Faulk (EDGE – Auburn)

6’6″ – 285 lbs.

Background

Five-star recruit and Alabama native who took over a starting role about midway through his true freshman season, posting 35-3.5-1.0 that year. Had his best season as a sophomore, with a 45-11.0-7.0 line, then posted 29-5.0-2.0 in 2025.

Positives

Has over two years of starting experience for a major program. Looks amazing on the hoof, with outstanding size and length; typically plays on the end of a base even front, but takes some snaps on the end of three-man lines as well. Plays with good patience and gap discipline in the run game, maintaining run fits and locating the football well; temperamentally a read-and-react type of player. Sets a solid edge. Easily holds the point of attack, showing impressive anchor strength. Keeps his shoulders square to the line. Uses his length well to lock out defenders, with nice power in his hands/solid technique to shed. Also has the suddenness and hand usage to threaten the occasional gap and disrupt plays in the backfield. Shows a pretty good motor in pursuit. Reliable tackler whose length gives him an impressive radius. Surprisingly smooth and coordinated for such a big edge defender, with good body control as a pass-rusher to bend an arc when working around the edge. However, he primarily relies on suddenness, lateral quickness, and active hands to create pressure, often on inside moves; this allows him to kick inside on some obvious passing downs as well. Active and advanced with his hands, using swims and swipes to work his way past blockers. Has a good feel for finding and slotting himself into open rushing lanes. Closes well for his size. Gets his hands up well to contest throws and batted down four balls in 2025.

Negatives

Wasn’t quite able to replicate his sophomore-season production this past year. Pad level can be on the high side due to his height. Despite being about as big as you’ll see from a base end, is more of a technician than a physically dominant bully; would like to see him use his size a bit more to bull rush opponents, resetting the line of scrimmage in the run game or collapsing the pocket in the passing game. Would like to see a little bit more variety to his rush approach overall. Has only a handful of snaps in coverage under his belt, and that’s probably not his game.

Summary

One of the best-built defensive ends you’ll see, he entered the season looking destined to be one of the top prospects in the class but didn’t stuff the stat sheet as much as expected. Still, he offers an excellent combination of size, length, patience, awareness, technique, and anchor strength to two-gap in the run game, and his suddenness, lateral quickness, and hand use make him an effective pass-rusher as well. Would be best in a scheme which favors two-gap duties up front, whether that’s on the end of an even or odd front. Solid first-round pick.

Projection: Round 1