Auburn Tigers EDGE/defensive end Keldric Faulk ended up being taken a little later in the 2026 NFL draft's first round than had been expected in the pre-draft process, but with the Tennessee Titans, the Highland Home, Alabama, product will be on a franchise that's setting him up for success in the trenches.
Per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, "The Titans went offense at No. 4 in round one. That had to be a hard thing for coach Robert Saleh to do. He ultimately got a defensive player by trading back into the first round. The Patriots had traded No. 31 to the Bills, who traded No. 31 to the Titans. Who took Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk. He’s a guy who could get plenty of one-on-one opportunities, given that defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons continues to be a dominant player."
Florio isn't hard to believe here. Jeffery Simmons had a 91.4 PFF pass-rush grade, a 19.4% pass-rush win rate, 11 sacks, and 64 pressures during the 2025 season. Faulk is also dominant as a run stopper, setting the edge to the tune of an 85.5 run defense grade, a top-20 rank nationally.
If Faulk can develop as an edge rusher -- he already has a strong base after 75 total pressures over the past two seasons -- Tennessee will have a lethal one-two punch up front for opposing offensive lines to contend with.
Keldric Faulk could be Robert Saleh's ace in the hole contingency plan
Of course, Faulk ending up on the Titans was the product of Robert Saleh and Co. passing up on Ohio State Buckeyes EDGE Arvell Reese with the No. 4 pick, as Saleh's previous employer, the New York Jets did at No. 2. Tennessee selected Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate, while the Jets went with Texas Tech Red Raiders EDGE David Bailey.
Saleh could've used Reese as a middle finger to his old employer, but Faulk could be one just the same, since Faulk was still on the board when New York took Indiana Hoosiers receiver Omar Cooper Jr. with the No. 30 pick. The Jets could've taken a page out of the 2025 Atlanta Falcons' playbook after taking Jalon Walker at No. 15 and James Pearce Jr. at No. 26 last April. Instead, they got good value with Cooper.
Tennessee also seemingly got good value with Faulk. Depending on how he fits with Simmons, Faulk could end up being great value if he thrives in Nashville, where he previously played in the 2023 Music City Bowl, in Nissan Stadium, and in 2025 against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium.
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