Keldric Faulk — 2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Ending Auburn's five-year first-rounder drought (since Derrick Brown and Noah Igbinoghene in 2020), Faulk has the potential to go much higher than this, but the Bears could be in the market for pass rush help next April, especially if Montez Sweat has another underwhelming season. (On a positive note, Sweat appears acutely focused on regaining his Pro Bowl form.) The long-limbed edge rusher has the frame (6'6" and 285 pounds), power and versatility to kick inside as well.

Faulk is a long body who has all of the tools. It is similar to Gregory Rousseau coming out of Miami. He could take the fight to the offensive linemen more often and force the issue, but that could come with time.

The Patriots went offense-heavy in the 2025 draft after using free agency to bolster their defense. We'll add more to that defense with Faulk, a towering 6-6 edge rusher with a stout base. He can play multiple alignments, and he finished the 2024 season with seven sacks. He's already one of the best run defenders in the country but needs to become more consistent rushing the passer to be picked in this part of the draft.

The Vikings were widely assumed to be taking a defensive tackle in the 2025 first round, but opted to give their new starting quarterback, JJ McCarthy, a plug-and-play starting guard in Donovan Jackson. Faulk is listed at a massive 6-6. 288 pounds and has the ability to set a hard edge or create interior pressure from the three tech.

A lengthy, twitchy edge rusher, Faulk has a chance to keep building upon two quality seasons as a key member of the Tigers defense (seven sacks, 11 TFLs in 2024). If he lives up to his trajectory, he could be a nice answer for the Bears as they face a potential decision point with Montez Sweat and a more long-term answer beyond Dayo Odeyingbo.

It was impossible to ignore Faulk — and his ability to disrupt the quarterback and stuff the run — when studying the Auburn-Cal tape from last season. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, with long arms, Faulk, according to scouts, will be in the conversation to be the first defensive lineman drafted next year.

Long, lean and slippery off the edge, Faulk's frame will generate comparisons to longtime NFL standouts Jason Taylor and Montez Sweat. The former four-star recruit made a major jump a year ago as a pass-rusher, going from one sack in 2023 to leading the Tigers with seven. His length and lateral agility could make him quite the weapon, though he needs to get stronger.

Even after taking Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen on Day 2, Carolina's pass rush likely will remain in dire straits for another season. That could leave the Panthers clamoring for someone who can create chaos, and the 6-6, 270-pound Faulk could take over for Jadeveon Clowney as a supersized edge rusher capable of creating a serious jolt.