NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Auburn DL Keldric Faulk

Matt HolderOct 12, 2025

Keldric Faulk is a 6'6", 275-pound defensive line prospect whose impressive size and age at only 20 years old give him the necessary tools to be an impact player at the next level.

While some project the former Tiger as an edge defender, he's at his best as a 4i-technique in odd fronts and has a physical profile that fits better as a 'defensive lineman'.

Faulk originally went to Auburn as a 4-star recruit in the 2023 class, per 247Sports. He became a starter about halfway through his freshman season and racked up 35 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack to earn a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.

The following year was Faulk's breakout campaign, totaling 45 tackles, 11 TFLs and seven sacks, though he didn't receive any postseason honors.

Heading into the 2025 season, he was named as the No. 9 player on Bruce Feldman's list of extraordinary athletes in college football, reportedly squatting 700 pounds and benching 415.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Where He Wins

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- Great size and frame for a defensive lineman, Faulk has an "NFL-ready" body and has very long arms.

- Impressive strength and physicality at the point of attack, which combined with his arm length, allows him to get extension on blocks.

- Pretty good at shedding blocks against offensive linemen to make plays in the running game.

- Good against pullers as a run defender, he's quick to recognize when he's unblocked and either get underneath the puller as the spill player or be stout and set the edge as the force player.

- Solid long-arm, rip and swim moves that he can win with occasionally as a pass-rusher.

- High motor pass-rusher to get coverage sacks or clean up sacks when the quarterback leaves the pocket.

- Experience playing several different defensive line alignments, from a shade-nose tackle to standup outside linebacker. He's best in odd fronts as a 4i-technique and can be a base end in even fronts if needed in the NFL.

Areas of Improvement

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 19 Auburn at Missouri

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- Lacks some twitch and overall athleticism for a prospect of his caliber. This plays into his projection as more of an interior lineman.

- Not explosive off the line of scrimmage to threaten offensive tackles with speed as a pass-rusher. Also, impacts his ability to collapse the pocket when bull rushing.

- Use of hands as a pass-rusher is still a work in progress, Faulk often lets offensive tackles make the first significant contact and ends up chest-to-chest too often. Also, he doesn't work the tackle's hands after contact, nor does he have a good counter move.

- Subpar bend to turn tight corners at the top of the rush, shows some stiffness in his lower body.

- Against reach blocks, he's reliant on winning at the point of attack due to his lack of lateral movement skills.