Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk was once projected as a top-10 NFL Draft pick after a standout 2024 season. But by the time the 2026 NFL Draft arrived, Faulk fell to the 31st overall pick after a drop in production and inconsistent play in his final college season. The Tennessee Titans traded up to select Faulk, ending his draft slide and giving him a chance to develop in a strong defensive line room.
Faulk recorded 45 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up in 2024. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, he possessed ideal size and versatility as a defensive end. However, his 2025 season was less impactful, with just 29 tackles and two sacks. Scouts questioned whether his final season of tape reflected his true potential, which led to teams lowering their expectations of him as a top-10 talent.
Sources indicate that teams believed Faulk was better suited as a mid-to-late first-rounder. His slide was so severe that he nearly fell into the second round. The Titans saw enough upside to justify trading up to the 31st pick to select him.
Tennessee's defensive line is led by veteran ends Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers, though Johnson’s contract is set to expire soon. Defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons, one of the NFL’s best interior defenders, will also help Faulk develop. Faulk could benefit from single-blocking situations alongside Simmons and learn from one of the league’s top defensive linemen.
Faulk is still just 22 years old and has room for growth. With a full season of NFL development and the right coaching, he could emerge as a key contributor for the Titans. The Titans’ defensive line coach has already expressed excitement about Faulk’s potential to grow into a starting role.
Faulk’s journey from a projected top-10 pick to a late first-rounder highlights the unpredictability of the college-to-pro transition. His NFL career will begin in Tennessee, where he’ll have every opportunity to prove he still has star potential.
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