Keldric Faulk might be everything Spags wants and nothing the Chiefs need

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season feels like a turning point in several ways. Will the coaching and scheme evolve? Will the Chiefs’ rigid thresholds at certain positions evolve? The Chiefs have felt limited by what they have on the roster by their own doing. They struggled offensively all year against man coverage, partly because of their insistence on smaller, undersized receivers. Similarly, the Chiefs’ pass rush struggles to apply quick pressure because the defensive line is filled with length, strength, and edge setters.

Keldrick Faulk has Steve Spagnuolo written all over him, but is that what’s best for the defensive line? Can the Chiefs’ pass rush continue to rely on Chris Jones to be their sole savior to apply pressure in the first three seconds of a play? Faulk could be the Chiefs’ second-best edge rusher quickly, but there are real questions beyond that.

With the limits of the 2026 draft (a down class) and what the Chiefs have at stake in their future, there are some real questions about what they need most with their pick. Is it a high-ceiling potential superstar? Or a high-floor, safe player who is less likely to miss? Time will only tell.

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NFL Draft Profile: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn

Age: 20 (September 7th 2005)

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 285 LBS.

Tape Exposure: Alabama (2024), Baylor (2025), Arkansas (2025)

Shades of: Carlos Dunlap

Keldric Faulk Background

Faulk was ranked as a four-star prospect coming out of Highland Home, Alabama, by 247 Sports. He was the seventh-ranked prospect in the state of Alabama and the ninth-ranked defensive line prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. Faulk originally committed to Florida State before decommitting and flipping to Auburn in 2022. He found the field early as a true freshman and started all three years for the Tigers.

Faulk is one of Pro Football Focus’ top-graded run defenders in the nation. He is credited with 80 run stops in his three years as a starter. He was ranked ninth on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 “Freaks List” for his incredible 700-pound squat this offseason and a 415-pound bench press.

Why Keldric Faulk is a Steve Spagnuolo Prototype

Strength at the point of attack

Faulk has such natural strength in his frame that when he extends his arms, he can lock out massive tackles—even Kaydn Proctor—to set the edge. He’s moved all over the defensive line, from 0 technique (head up over the center) to 5 technique shaded outside the tackle. His powerful base makes him an ideal early-down edge defender with juice on the inside on late downs.

Motor

He frequently chases plays down from the backside of a run lane or even runs down ball carriers far down the field. He is occasionally asked to drop into coverage and will pursue plays well down the field there, too. He has an unmeasured impact on the pocket because of his relentless nature in getting to the quarterback.

Traits

To have the frame and strength that Faulk has as one of the youngest players in the draft (he won’t be 21 until September 2026), there is real upside here. With the right development and growth, there could be a potential superstar in Faulk. His speed on the inside and power on the outside make him an ideal piece in a 4–3 scheme looking to create mismatches.

Is Faulk more of the same for the Chiefs d-line?

Lack of Explosiveness

With standard tape evaluation, three games are reviewed. In those three games, Faulk had a single sack, which was a hustle sack on a “garbage time” drive by Baylor. His first step is slow off the edge but average on the inside. There is very little bend to his game, and bigger tackles can bring him to the ground off the edge. His twitch will need to improve if he’s going to rush the passer from the outside.

Tweener Body Type

At 6'6", 285 lbs., where is Faulk going to play and test? Is he going to be a plodding edge defender at the combine, or hope to reduce inside and be a mismatch player on the interior? There’s just not a clear path to a full-time role on the outside for him without some change in body type or skill set.

Pass Rush Moves

Right now, Faulk is mostly a bull rusher with a few hand-swipe moves and stutter steps. He frequently allows tackles to get their hands on him first and struggles to counter after that. He has struggled against bigger-bodied tackles in pass-rush situations.

Does Keldric Faulk make sense for the Chiefs?

This really gets into a larger philosophical question for the Chiefs’ draft this year. Do the Chiefs view this as a can’t-miss opportunity and swing for a potential All-Pro superstar? Or do they recognize the urgency of the moment and stay safe by taking a high-floor prospect? Faulk is the ultimate question of traits over production. With only 10 career sacks in college and nine quarterback hits, there are real questions about his impact on the passer at the next level.

Keldrick Faulk is a Day 1 impact run defender at edge. He is a versatile pass rusher who can win from the inside and provide steady pocket-setting with a high motor on the outside. With plenty of traits, he could develop into a high-level edge rusher or settle in as a rotational, scheme-specific piece.

Round Grade: Purple Chip (1st round grade)