Keldric

Faulk

Faulk’s rookie deal is worth $17.1 million and is fully guaranteed. The Titans traded up with the Bills to land Faulk at the end of the first round, giving them the fifth-year option at the end of his deal. At 6'6/285, Faulk is a big-bodied defensive end who can defend the run and rush the passer. Robert Saleh will need to get the most out of him if he is going to turn the Titans’ defense around in 2026.

The versatile lineman will join Robert Saleh’s defense in Tennessee. Faulk (6’6/285) delivered a strong and versatile season off the edge for Auburn, posting 44 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, and 11 run stops across 12 games while playing with laudable technique against the run. His 91.7% tackle efficiency and a 70.5% run tackle share, metrics that aligned with an 85.5 PFF run defense grade, made him Auburn’s most reliable edge setter. As a pass rusher he was more of a steady compressor than a pure closer, generating 29 pressures on 294 rushes (9.9% pressure rate) with 27 first pressures and a 66.0 PFF pass-rush grade, but only finishing with two sacks. Faulk ran a promising 90th-percentile 4.67s 40-yard dash with a 35” vertical (85th%), but his 17 bench reps was a disappointing 24th% mark. Still just 20 years old, Faulk is a bonafide trench stabilizer who projects to carry a high run-defense valuation with pass rushing upside at the next level if he can harness his natural physical gifts.

Faulk cites that FSU being interesting in him since Covid and the strong relationship he built with the coaching staff is what landed him there. On his first visit to Tallahassee, he said he had the chance to sit down with head coach Mike Norvell, and the relationship has grown strong ever since. His strengths on the defensive line will be what makes him a star — he’s versatile as he can lineup in the two or three-point stance, has a great first step off the snap, and uses his quick feet and athleticism to get through the line. He may be more suitable as a stand-up edge rusher but could put his hands on the ground in certain situations. He comes in as the No. 11 defensive lineman in the country according to 247 sports.