The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into the offseason with a clear priority: fix the pass rush. After a season where pressure off the edge was inconsistent at best, it’s no secret that Tampa Bay is eyeing the EDGE position as a spot for significant investment-possibly as early as the first round of the draft.
One name that’s started to generate some first-round buzz is Auburn’s Keldric Faulk. On paper, Faulk brings a lot to like-he’s a 6-foot-6, 280-pound athlete with the kind of size and versatility that NFL teams covet.
He’s long, strong at the point of attack, and has the frame to line up across multiple spots on the defensive front. But when it comes to what the Buccaneers actually need, Faulk might not be the best fit.
Let’s break it down.
Faulk’s calling card right now is his run defense. His 85.5 run defense grade was one of the best in the country, ranking 19th nationally.
That’s elite territory. He’s physical, disciplined, and knows how to set the edge.
But when it comes to rushing the passer-something the Bucs desperately need help with-Faulk’s production hasn’t matched the hype. His pass rush grade came in at 66.0, which placed him 415th out of 851 qualifying players.
That’s not the kind of number you want to see from a potential first-round pick at a premium position.
Then there’s the sack production. Faulk had just two sacks in his final season at Auburn and only ten across his entire college career.
For a team like Tampa Bay, that’s a red flag. They’ve been down this road before-most notably with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who also came into the league with great measurables but only nine sacks in college.
Tryon-Shoyinka’s development has been uneven, and the Bucs can’t afford another long-term project if they’re going to contend in the NFC South.
If Tampa Bay is going to spend a first-rounder on an EDGE, they need someone who can create pressure from day one. Someone who can win one-on-ones, collapse the pocket, and get quarterbacks off their spot. Faulk might grow into that kind of player down the line, but right now, he’s not there yet.
Just look at some of the other top EDGE prospects in this class. Reuben Bain out of Miami?
20.5 career sacks. David Bailey from Texas Tech?
- Cashius Howell at Texas A&M?
- Clemson’s T.J.
Parker? 21.5.
These are guys who’ve shown they can consistently get to the quarterback at the college level-and that kind of track record matters, especially for a team like the Bucs that doesn’t have time to wait on development.
Faulk’s upside is real. He’s a powerful, versatile defender who could become a valuable piece in the right system.
But for Tampa Bay, the priority needs to be immediate impact off the edge. They need a disruptor, not just a run-stopper.
If they go EDGE in the first round, they’ll be better off targeting a player with proven pass-rushing chops-someone who can help this defense take the next step right now, not two or three years down the line.
Bottom line: Keldric Faulk might be a good player, but he’s not the right player for the Bucs at this stage.