With every passing day, Tennessee Titans training camp draws closer, and the excitement continues to build.
When the team does hit the field, all eyes will be on their two first-round picks: Carnell Tate and Keldric Faulk. While Tate will likely quickly ascend into a starting role, Faulk appears to be more of a rotational piece early in his career. This isn’t because he lacks talent, but rather because of Robert Saleh’s propensity to rotate defensive linemen and veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, which will allow him to hone his craft before taking on a larger role.
What can we expect with Faulk during his rookie season? Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report took a stab at projecting his production.
No. 31: DE Keldric FaulkInitial Role: Compete for Rotational Role
The Tennessee Titans are looking to rebuild their defensive front around centerpiece tackle Jeffery Simmons. Tennessee brought in John Franklin-Myers, Jordan Elliott, Jermain Johnson II, and Solomon Thomas while using the 31st pick on Auburn’s Keldric Faulk.
Faulk is a big (6’6″, 275 lbs), physical defender who is undeveloped as a pass-rusher but who can contribute early as a rotational depth piece. According to ESPN’s Turron Davenport, Faulk has “already improved his ability to get off the line thanks to technique work” through the early offseason.
Given the experience veterans like Johnson and Franklin-Myers have under Titans head coach Robert Saleh, Faulk has probably been penciled in for a developmental backup role since before he was drafted.
However, Faulk should compete with players like Femi Oladejo, Jaylen Harrell, and Jacob Martin for a role in the edge rotation. That would net him valuable experience ahead of a bigger role in Year 2.
While Faulk slid on draft night, he has a potential Top-5 skill set, giving Tennessee tremendous value at the end of the first round after a disappointing final season at Auburn.
Faulk will likely rotate as a big edge with John Franklin-Myers early in 2026, with both having the size and skill set to slide up and down the defensive front, and he should benefit from Franklin-Myers’ experience in the system.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans’ Keldric Faulk could have time to develop in 2026
