One of the key points that comes up often when discussing the way the Buffalo Bills have struggled has been the pass rush. The Seattle Seahawks laid out the blueprint with a ferocious pass rush, something that has been definitively lacking from the Bills in recent seasons.
Unless general manager Brandon Beane can manage to pull off a blockbuster, the NFL Draft makes more sense. Though they will have cap space to address a few issues, there are a couple of prospects that make sense for what the Bills are trying to do. One such name could be Keldric Faulk out of Auburn.
Auburn EDGE Keldric Faulk 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 285 lbs
Expected 40-Yard Dash: 4.70-4.75
Recruiting: 4-star recruit in the class of 2023, No. 62 nationally, No. 9 defensive lineman overall
College Production: 109 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 6 passes defended in 37 career games
Positives
- Size you can’t duplicate with strength that somehow surpasses it, making him an absolute load at the point of attack.
- NFL-caliber run defender already, leading edge defenders with 62 run stops over the last three seasons.
- Rare two-gap potential at the NFL level with the strength to shed and pursue.
- Versatile in terms of alignment potential, even showing the ability to stand up pre-snap.
- Great motor, makes plenty of effort plays and cleanup sacks.
- Crushes pulling guards, throwing them out of the way to destroy running plays.
The Bills have been brutal against the run, and Faulk is the kind of stout run defender that could make an impact on day one. He’s huge, shows the ability to play in multiple positions and stances, and has the strength to dominate average offensive linemen at the next level.
Negatives
- Not totally lacking first-step quickness but is inconsistent with it.
- A little stiff around the corner and could struggle against upper-echelon offensive tackles on the edge.
- Pass rush moves a bit limited and will need work at the NFL level to beat superior tackles.
- Lateral agility is limited, which limits his ability to pursue in some zone-heavy offenses.
With great size comes somewhat limited explosiveness, but it’s not a huge downside. Like any rookie, Faulk will need to add some refinement to his game. Might not be quite the pass rusher some of the others are in this class, partially due to a lack of explosiveness.
Keldric Faulk NFL Player Comparison: Calais Campbell
Campbell was equally huge coming out of college and became one of the most consistent defensive ends in the league at getting to the quarterback. It will take work, technique refinement, and consistency for him to match Campbell, but the physical traits are there for Faulk to be a star.
Faulk’s Fit with the Buffalo Bills
Faulk would more likely be a defensive end in new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s scheme, but he does have the ability to stand up from time to time, which could make life difficult for offensive linemen trying to locate and adjust for him. The biggest selling point is his ability against the run, something the Bills have struggled with in recent years.
Keldric Faulk NFL Draft Grade: Top 20 Pick
It feels unlikely that Faulk will be there with the No. 26 pick. There are several other edge players garnering first-round draft grades, so it isn’t out of the question for Faulk to slide based on scheme fit and need. If the Bills could land him with their first pick, it would be a huge addition to a defense desperately in need of run-stuffing and pass-rushing help.