Tennessee Titans tap Auburn edge Keldric Faulk with No. 31 overall pick
By David Wasson
Published:
The Auburn Tigers made their first dent in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night, seeing edge rusher Keldric Faulk selected by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 31 overall pick.
The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Faulk became Auburn’s 33rd first-round pick and the first to go in the first round since 2020 – when Derrick Brown went No. 7 overall and Noah Igbinoghene went No. 30 overall.
Faulk’s three seasons in Auburn saw him pile up 74 solo tackles, 10 sacks, six passes defended and a forced fumble. Faulk notched 23 solo stops with four passes defended and two sacks in 2025.
Faulk received late-first and early-second round buzz throughout the pre-draft process and was among the invitees to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projected Faulk would go No. 26 overall in his final mock draft just over a week prior to Thursday night, and pre-draft analysis noticed that Faulk is talented against the run and pass, possessing the tools to be successful at the next level.
Faulk was Tennessee’s second selection in Thursday’s first round. The Titans tapped Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate with the No. 4 overall pick. Edge rusher was a big draft need for the Titans despite the team trading for Jermaine Johnson and signing John Franklin-Myers this offseason.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
