Keldric Faulk DL/EDGE Auburn | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Keldric Faulk DL/EDGE Auburn
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: EDGE/DE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/06/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.74 seconds (85%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 19.8 DOB: 09/07/2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: EDGE/DE | |
| Last Updated: 05/06/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.74 seconds (85%*) | |
| Age: 19.8 DOB: 09/07/2005 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 88.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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84% |
| Pass Rush: |
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82% |
| Run Defense: |
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93% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 10
Overall Rank:
#7
Position rank:
#2
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| College Games: 25 College Snaps: 1032 | ||
ESPN RATING: 82/100
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247 RATING: 96/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Landon Jackson - Arkansas |
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91% |
| Keion White - Georgia Tech |
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83% |
| Darius Robinson - Missouri |
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70% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Highland Home, Alabama native Keldric Faulk arrived at Auburn as a coveted piece in the Tigers' 2023 recruiting class, a consensus four-star prospect who turned heads as the No. 79 overall player according to Rivals. The athletic pass rusher wasted no time making his presence felt on the Plains, earning SEC All-Freshman honors while appearing in all games and recording 35 tackles. His sophomore campaign announced his arrival as an elite defensive force, racking up 45 tackles, 11.0 TFLs, and 7.0 sacks while starting every contest for an Auburn defense that leaned heavily on his disruptive abilities.After showing flashes as a freshman, he transformed into a nightmare for offensive coordinators during his second season, highlighted by a dominant performance against Georgia (7 tackles, 2 sacks) and a game-wrecking outing against Alabama (6 tackles, 2 TFLs, forced fumble and recovery). His imposing frame and athletic versatility have allowed him to line up across multiple positions along the defensive front, creating matchup problems whether setting the edge against the run or collapsing the pocket on passing downs.
The basketball background is evident in Faulk's movement patterns – the functional athleticism and body control of a much smaller man trapped in a towering defensive end's frame. Despite playing for an Auburn program that struggled to translate individual talent into consistent team success, Faulk's star power couldn't be contained, earning him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors after his Kentucky performance and positioning him as one of the conference's premier defensive talents heading into his junior season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Prototype physical dimensions with exceptional height (6'6"), weight distribution, and arm length that create instant leverage advantages against most offensive tackles he faces.
- Devastating run defender who plays with natural leverage despite his height, consistently setting a firm edge and rerouting runners with explosive two-gap potential against inside zone concepts.
- Versatile alignment weapon who can rush effectively from 5-tech, 4i, or kick inside on passing downs, displaying different rush plans from each spot in Auburn's multiple front looks.
- Shows rare redirect ability for a 288-pounder, capable of planting his outside foot and closing downhill when quarterbacks step up or running backs cut back against the grain.
- Hand usage has progressed significantly since freshman year, now deploying a vicious long-arm stab that maximizes his reach and creates instant separation against lunging tackles.
- Plays with genuine violence through contact, particularly when setting the point against pulling guards – saw him rag-doll Kentucky's left guard in the backfield last season.
- Disciplined containment defender who rarely abandons assignments chasing stats, consistently forces runners back inside while maintaining gap integrity against misdirection concepts.
- Brings unrelenting motor from snap to whistle, routinely making impact plays late in games when opposing linemen start wearing down from his constant pressure.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Initial get-off can be a tick slow at times, especially when reading run-pass keys, occasionally surrendering early positioning advantage against high-level tackles.
- Pass rush plan sometimes lacks counters when initial move gets stalled – needs to develop more consistent second and third options when primary rush stalls.
- Despite good overall mobility, can occasionally struggle changing directions fluidly in space when forced to redirect against shifty backs in the flats.
- Hand placement inconsistency shows up on tape, particularly when opponents get into his chest first – must establish first contact more regularly at the NFL level.
- Needs refinement shedding blocks against zone schemes, occasionally stays engaged too long rather than disengaging cleanly to pursue ball carriers laterally down the line.
Scouting Report: Summary
Faulk fits the bill of a true defensive cornerstone capable of transforming a front seven from day one. His exceptional blend of size, power, and surprising movement skills will make him a coveted prospect for teams running hybrid fronts that emphasize versatility along the defensive line. What separates him from other edge prospects in this class is his three-down impact – he's not a one-dimensional pass rusher who needs to be hidden in run situations.Defenses looking for a physical tone-setter would maximize Faulk's talents by deploying him primarily as a 5-technique on early downs before sliding him around in passing situations. His ceiling comparison brings to mind a more athletic Calais Campbell – a true defensive wrecking ball with enough wiggle to be a double-digit sack producer while still dominating against the run. The scariest part? There's still untapped potential in his pass rush arsenal that NFL coaching will unlock.
After thoroughly breaking down his film, I'm convinced Faulk possesses one of the highest floors in this entire draft class, with genuine All-Pro upside if his technical refinement catches up to his physical gifts. While Auburn's mediocre team performance has somewhat muted his national recognition, NFL decision-makers are fully aware they're looking at a potential cornerstone defender.
How other scouting services rate Keldric Faulk (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
10.2
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
2.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.