The Cleveland Browns' defensive end rotation of Alex Wright, Cameron Thomas, and Isaiah McGuire was a classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts in 2025. It was a serviceable committee that got the job done, but with a new defensive coordinator in Mike Rutenberg and an offense that may continue to sputter, the pressure is on to find a true difference-maker on the edge.
Enter the 2026 NFL Draft. While defense might not be the screaming first-round priority, General Manager Andrew Berry has a well-known affinity for high-upside talent. If a player with immense potential is still on the board when the Browns pick later in the first round, Berry might not be able to resist. That player could very well be Auburn's Keldric Faulk.
Faulk is the prototype of a modern developmental edge rusher. At 6'6" with a long, athletic frame, he possesses the raw physical tools that scouts dream of. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.10 out of 10 is elite, placing him in the 99th percentile among defensive ends historically. The tape shows a fluid, explosive athlete who can bend around the corner and disrupt plays with his length.
His 2025 stats—29 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks—don't jump off the page, but they tell only part of the story. Analysts like Doug Farrar have praised his "ornery" play style and ability to blow up blocks from multiple gaps. The foundation is clearly there: good movement skills, high character, and a toughness that suggests he'll only get better.
The key for Faulk is adding functional strength and refining his technique. He needs to deliver more powerful initial strikes to set a firmer edge against the run. But at just 21 years old, his ceiling is incredibly high. He's viewed as a versatile piece who could develop in either odd or even defensive fronts, making him a perfect long-term fit for a creative coordinator.
With an average big board ranking in the 20s, Faulk represents a classic high-reward pick. For a Browns team built to win now but always planning for tomorrow, drafting a player of Faulk's caliber could solidify the defensive line for years to come. He's not a finished product, but in Cleveland's system, with their coaching, he has all the makings of a future star.