Curious Case of Keldric Faulk

[cnuball21]

One of the most polarizing draft prospects in the class. Some analysts I really respect have him high as top 5 some have him more as a bottom of the 1st kind of player. I'm a little torn b/c in the top 20 I'm typically looking for a Edge that checks boxes for size/length, athleticism and production (ideally in a power 5 conference). The production just hasn't been there.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT...There is a little more to unpack.

1. Auburn used him in a funky way where he was playing all across the DL and even when outside was in more of a 2 gap type scheme limiting his ability to fully produce.
2. He was 19 freaking years old when he had 7 sacks and 10+ TFLs in his best season so his best football is ahead of him.

I'm not pounding the table for him but he is very intriguing to me and I could get on board at 12 if we go that route. Will he ever be a + pass rusher? I don't know...but I do know he'll be a + run defender that can create some pressure across the entire DL.

I wonder if he can turn into a Michael Bennett type player? Base end on early down with ability to kick inside on passing downs and give you 6-8 sacks a year while being a monster against the run.

 

[baltcowboy]

One of the most polarizing draft prospects in the class. Some analysts I really respect have him high as top 5 some have him more as a bottom of the 1st kind of player. I'm a little torn b/c in the top 20 I'm typically looking for a Edge that checks boxes for size/length, athleticism and production (ideally in a power 5 conference). The production just hasn't been there.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT...There is a little more to unpack.

1. Auburn used him in a funky way where he was playing all across the DL and even when outside was in more of a 2 gap type scheme limiting his ability to fully produce.
2. He was 19 freaking years old when he had 7 sacks and 10+ TFLs in his best season so his best football is ahead of him.

I'm not pounding the table for him but he is very intriguing to me and I could get on board at 12 if we go that route. Will he ever be a + pass rusher? I don't know...but I do know he'll be a + run defender that can create some pressure across the entire DL.

I wonder if he can turn into a Michael Bennett type player? Base end on early down with ability to kick inside on passing downs and give you 6-8 sacks a year while being a monster against the run.

Supposedly he is a better prospect than the Georgia kid that San Francisco took in front of us last season. Faulk in three years could be the best player in this draft or could be Tyree Wilson. I think if the Cowboys resign Clowney we could develop Faulk slowly. I just believe the Cowboys want an impact players that can be walk in starters no questions asked because the Jets own our best pick in 2027.

 

[Acceptablename]

One of the most polarizing draft prospects in the class. Some analysts I really respect have him high as top 5 some have him more as a bottom of the 1st kind of player. I'm a little torn b/c in the top 20 I'm typically looking for a Edge that checks boxes for size/length, athleticism and production (ideally in a power 5 conference). The production just hasn't been there.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT...There is a little more to unpack.

1. Auburn used him in a funky way where he was playing all across the DL and even when outside was in more of a 2 gap type scheme limiting his ability to fully produce.
2. He was 19 freaking years old when he had 7 sacks and 10+ TFLs in his best season so his best football is ahead of him.

I'm not pounding the table for him but he is very intriguing to me and I could get on board at 12 if we go that route. Will he ever be a + pass rusher? I don't know...but I do know he'll be a + run defender that can create some pressure across the entire DL.

I wonder if he can turn into a Michael Bennett type player? Base end on early down with ability to kick inside on passing downs and give you 6-8 sacks a year while being a monster against the run.

No bend or twitchy

 

[stilltheguru]

He's a player who most of the fanbase (loudest being Voch) will hate. I wouldn't expect anything year 1 but after year 1 I could see him being pretty good

 

[darthseinfeld]

One of the most polarizing draft prospects in the class. Some analysts I really respect have him high as top 5 some have him more as a bottom of the 1st kind of player. I'm a little torn b/c in the top 20 I'm typically looking for a Edge that checks boxes for size/length, athleticism and production (ideally in a power 5 conference). The production just hasn't been there.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT...There is a little more to unpack.

1. Auburn used him in a funky way where he was playing all across the DL and even when outside was in more of a 2 gap type scheme limiting his ability to fully produce.
2. He was 19 freaking years old when he had 7 sacks and 10+ TFLs in his best season so his best football is ahead of him.

I'm not pounding the table for him but he is very intriguing to me and I could get on board at 12 if we go that route. Will he ever be a + pass rusher? I don't know...but I do know he'll be a + run defender that can create some pressure across the entire DL.

I wonder if he can turn into a Michael Bennett type player? Base end on early down with ability to kick inside on passing downs and give you 6-8 sacks a year while being a monster against the run.

Faulk probably impacts run defense more than any player in the last few drafts. Which is pretty impressive for a DE (well as long as you agree with me on that assessment

To be valued as high as he is some places, you have to buy into Calais Campbell/ Cam Jordan type upside. For this team, after two year if he will have to be an interior rusher to get on the field on pass downs, then he probably isnt a fit.

 

[darthseinfeld]

He's a player who most of the fanbase (loudest being Voch) will hate. I wouldn't expect anything year 1 but after year 1 I could see him being pretty good

He walks in as an elite run defender. He will make it very difficult to run to the strong side

 

[ScotsCowboy]

You need an instant impact Guy at 12. If he makes it to 20, then maybe.

If we trade back to 28 or the likes and he’s still there, then definitely.

I think he ends up being a 3 front DE/5 tech type in the NFL, rather than an edge rusher as such.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

If he slides I wouldn't mind Dallas trading their second 1st (#20), maybe getting back into the 2nd or 3rd round and taking him at the bottom of the 1st.

 

[cnuball21]

Faulk probably impacts run defense more than any player in the last few drafts. Which is pretty impressive for a DE (well as long as you agree with me on that assessment

To be valued as high as he is some places, you have to buy into Calais Campbell/ Cam Jordan type upside. For this team, after two year if he will have to be an interior rusher to get on the field on pass downs, then he probably isnt a fit.

If I was a 3/4 team I'd probably have him as a top 10 lock. Dude's like him are very hard to come by.

 

[cnuball21]

No bend or twitchy

His size adjusted athletic profile is insane. Couldn't disagree more.

 

[cnuball21]

Supposedly he is a better prospect than the Georgia kid that San Francisco took in front of us last season. Faulk in three years could be the best player in this draft or could be Tyree Wilson. I think if the Cowboys resign Clowney we could develop Faulk slowly. I just believe the Cowboys want an impact players that can be walk in starters no questions asked because the Jets own our best pick in 2027.

I like him better than Williams from last year.

Clowney on a 1 year deal to help mentor and bring him on slow would be a good move. If he can eventually give you what this years Clowney gives you he warrants the pick IMO.

 

[cnuball21]

You need an instant impact Guy at 12. If he makes it to 20, then maybe.

If we trade back to 28 or the likes and he’s still there, then definitely.

I think he ends up being a 3 front DE/5 tech type in the NFL, rather than an edge rusher as such.

Problem is it's a horrible class at the top...the list of guys I trust to be year 1 impact players is very, very small IMO.

 

[darthseinfeld]

If I was a 3/4 team I'd probably have him as a top 10 lock. Dude's like him are very hard to come by.

We are probably going in that direction. Most if not all of the guys we are interviewing run odd fronts. Im going drop one Cam for another as far as ceiling comps. Cam Heyward. I think Cam Jordan played even fronts most of his career.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Supposedly he is a better prospect than the Georgia kid that San Francisco took in front of us last season. Faulk in three years could be the best player in this draft or could be Tyree Wilson. I think if the Cowboys resign Clowney we could develop Faulk slowly. I just believe the Cowboys want an impact players that can be walk in starters no questions asked because the Jets own our best pick in 2027.

Iirc both of us were fans of Mykel Williams last year. I think they are a bit different in that Williams is more a pure even front DE where as Faulk is more of an odd front DE that might develop into a good front DE as well. I think Faulk carries a bit more value and has more upside

 

[ScotsCowboy]

Problem is it's a horrible class at the top...the list of guys I trust to be year 1 impact players is very, very small IMO.

That’s fair, but then we simply trade down from 12, if there’s a partner (which there might be, depending on other teams’ positional needs).

 

[cnuball21]

That’s fair, but then we simply trade down from 12, if there’s a partner (which there might be, depending on other teams’ positional needs).

Lack of talent at the top means lack of trade partners...there's always a chance but I don't see it very likely this year.

And if there is a player a team wants to trade up for it's probably someone we should just take.

 

[darthseinfeld]

You need an instant impact Guy at 12. If he makes it to 20, then maybe.

If we trade back to 28 or the likes and he’s still there, then definitely.

I think he ends up being a 3 front DE/5 tech type in the NFL, rather than an edge rusher as such.

Faulk is a potential All Pro. If you have a potential All Pro front 4 player 12 in any draft, he needs to be at or near the top of your short list. With defensive line, even at the top, your rookie expectations need to be tempered. The expectation should be that they contribute. Faulk would definitely contribute as a rookie

 

[Hardline]

@CalPolyTechnique will give his opinion as soon as he reads the latest Mel Kiper article.

 

[darthseinfeld]

That’s fair, but then we simply trade down from 12, if there’s a partner (which there might be, depending on other teams’ positional needs).

Lack of talent at the top means lack of trade partners...there's always a chance but I don't see it very likely this year.

And if there is a player a team wants to trade up for it's probably someone we should just take.

It also means a lower value for a trade down. 2013 was a very weak 1st round. The trade down we made had a 2nd round value per the chart. We only got a 3rd. If its a weak draft, you can expect to get poor value for a trade down

 

[Acceptablename]

His size adjusted athletic profile is insane. Couldn't disagree more.

Just going by people I listen to aka Bryn Broadas