Tennessee Titans move up, get Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk with 31st pick in 2026 NFL Draft

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsScoop City NewsletterNFL Draft UpdatesThe BeastConsensus RankingsTop 300 Rankings7-Round Draft Order2026 NFL Draft Keldric Faulk had a breakout season as a sophomore at Auburn in 2024, registering 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Jake Crandall / Advertiser via Imagn Images Share articleThe Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Tennessee Titans made a trade with the Buffalo Bills and selected edge rusher Keldric Faulk of Auburn with the No. 31 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday. Faulk was the No. 4-ranked edge rusher in “The Beast.” The Titans got the No. 31 pick as the Bills traded down for a third time Thursday and moved out of the first round. Tennessee also received picks in the third (No. 69) and fifth (No. 165) rounds. Tennessee gave up picks Nos. 35, 66 and 101 as the Bills collected selections near the top of the second, third and fourth rounds. Faulk is a young player with an intriguing skill set that can be molded as he develops in the NFL. In 2024, Faulk had a breakout season as a sophomore at Auburn, registering 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks. That put him under the spotlight in 2025, as expectations were raised for his final college season. Faulk’s production took a dip, as he had just five tackles for loss and two sacks. Part of the regression in production had to do with the role he was asked to play in Auburn’s defensive scheme, which he unselfishly embraced. Faulk’s 2024 season showed what kind of impact he can make. He has all of the tangible traits that are necessary to succeed in the NFL, including a long, athletic stature and a strong frame. He’s more of a risk than a safe bet for what his ceiling could be, but his complete body of work lends confidence to him being able to put it together over time. He has been a team captain at Auburn and did more than just lead vocally, including donating part of his NIL earnings to help a walk-on teammate. Faulk ranked No. 15 on Dane Brugler’s top 300 big board. Here’s what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide: “A king-sized edge defender, Faulk is long, athletic and strong. He is a straightforward pass rusher, and there isn’t much deception in his initial plan or counters. However, though he lacks explosiveness for early wins, he is fluid in his attack and thuds with his hands to create knockback at contact. He stacks and sheds efficiently from different alignments to detach in the run game. He needs better consistency with his pad level and instincts but rarely misses tackles and offers position flex along the line.” Has more “almost” plays than impact plays on tape, but a player worth betting on. What an anonymous coach had to say about Faulk in Bruce Feldman’s mock draft: “He was really good when he wanted to be,” said an SEC OC. “He’s big and talented. He’s very heavy-handed. When he comes off the ball and wants to go, he’s hard to deal with. Not that twitchy, but is more of a bull-rush, run-over-you kind of guy. I just never thought he played that hard. Same thing (in 2024). But there were a lot of things off with Auburn the past few years.” Tennessee traded up to bet on upside with Faulk. He is a better fit for a true four-down defense, and that’s what the Titans will employ under Robert Salah. It’s a need position for the Titans, and value matches up. Big, long (34 3/8-inch arms) and physical, Faulk (6-6, 276) finished with 10 career sacks over three seasons at Auburn. He looks the part physically, but he finished with only two sacks last fall. Faulk has boom-or-bust characteristics, so this trade bears scrutiny. Grade: B- The Titans were widely expected to go edge at No. 4, but instead they held off in favor of Carnell Tate, moved up from No. 35 and addressed the need on the first night anyway. Faulk joins a team with an interior star in Jeffery Simmons, a recently acquired tag-team partner for him in John Franklin-Myers, and a desperate need for impact on the edge. Faulk has the traits and upside, and now it’s on Saleh to help him turn that into corresponding production. — Rexrode  General manager Mike Borgonzi made the impact defensive signing with Franklin-Myers, but he bolstered a barren edge group as well by signing Jermaine Johnson and Jacob Martin. That takes a bit of pressure off Faulk in terms of starting right away, but it will still be disappointing if he doesn’t claim a spot. The Titans are also hoping to see a huge jump this season from last year’s second-round pick, Femi Oladejo. He’s a traits/upside guy who hasn’t yet popped. — Rexrode  They could have held on to No. 35, possibly, and still gotten Faulk. Moving up four spots meant Buffalo got 66 in exchange for 69, and 101 in exchange for 165. Obviously, this move was made to take Faulk, but the guy who went with the next pick — Jadarian Price, the other Notre Dame running back — could have been interesting. Edges T.J. Parker, Zion Young and Cashius Howell are all available and will be compared with Faulk by Titans fans. — Rexrode  Edge and receiver were the big needs with the Titans’ top two picks, and they ended up satisfying both on the first night of the draft. Faulk and his large number of “almost plays,” in the words of Dane Brugler, represents a risk. But this coach and defense represent a favorable landing spot for him. — Rexrode  Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms