Auburn Edge Rusher Keldric Faulk Offers Boom-or-Bust Potential for 2026 NFL Draft

The Saints are in need of an edge rusher, but will they take a chance on the talented yet raw Faulk?

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:55am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements of a football player rushing the passer, with sharp planes of black, gold, and white colors representing the New Orleans Saints' team palette.A cubist interpretation of an edge rusher's explosive movements, capturing the Saints' need for a dynamic pass-rushing presence.New Orleans Today

Keldric Faulk, an edge rusher from the Auburn Tigers, is a high-upside prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite his impressive physical tools and versatility, Faulk's production has not yet matched his potential, leading to concerns about whether he is ready for the pro game. The New Orleans Saints, who hold the 8th overall pick, are in need of an edge rusher to potentially replace the aging Cameron Jordan, but their recent draft misses on players like Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner may make them wary of taking a chance on Faulk that early.

Why it matters

The Saints' need for an edge rusher to complement Chase Young and potentially replace the aging Cameron Jordan is well-documented. However, the team has struggled with boom-or-bust prospects in the past, making them cautious about taking a risk on Faulk with such a high draft pick. Faulk's combination of size, athleticism, and versatility could make him an enticing option, but his inconsistent production raises questions about whether he is ready to contribute at the NFL level.

The details

Keldric Faulk is a 6-foot-6, 276-pound edge rusher who played for the Auburn Tigers. As a five-star recruit, he made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2023, earning SEC All-Freshman honors. Faulk's production increased in 2024, with 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss, but it dipped in 2025 despite his ability to play both defensive tackle and defensive end. Faulk's physical tools, including a 35-inch vertical jump and 9'9" broad jump, are impressive, but he still needs to refine his pass-rushing moves and improve his ability to disengage from blockers.

  • Faulk declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after his junior season at Auburn.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026.

The players

Keldric Faulk

A 6-foot-6, 276-pound edge rusher who played for the Auburn Tigers, Faulk is a high-upside prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft with impressive physical tools but inconsistent production.

Cameron Jordan

A 15-year veteran defensive end for the New Orleans Saints, Jordan is still a productive player but the team may be looking to find his eventual replacement in the draft.

Marcus Davenport

A former first-round pick by the Saints in 2018, Davenport has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, serving as an example of the team's recent draft misses on high-upside edge rushers.

Payton Turner

Another recent Saints draft pick, Turner was selected in the first round in 2021 but has also failed to live up to expectations so far in his NFL career.

Chase Young

The star defensive end for the New Orleans Saints, Young provides a strong presence on one side of the defensive line, but the team is still seeking a complement on the other edge.

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What they’re saying

“Keldric Faulk is a boom-or-bust prospect who needs more polish and probably should have stayed in school another year. However, he has exciting upside with the potential to take over games.”

— Bob Rose, Author

What’s next

The Saints will have to weigh the risks and rewards of selecting Keldric Faulk with their first-round pick. If they believe he has the potential to develop into a dominant edge rusher, they may be willing to take a chance on him. However, their recent draft history with similar high-upside prospects may make them more cautious about investing such a valuable pick on Faulk.

The takeaway

The Saints' need for an edge rusher to complement Chase Young and potentially replace the aging Cameron Jordan is clear, but their past struggles with boom-or-bust prospects like Marcus Davenport and Payton Turner may make them wary of taking a chance on Keldric Faulk with their first-round pick. Faulk's impressive physical tools and potential are enticing, but his inconsistent production raises questions about whether he is ready to contribute at the NFL level.