The Titans knew they were taking a project when they moved up to No. 31 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft for EDGE Keldric Faulk. Two regular-season games later, the early return has been quiet. That’s not a reason to hit the panic button.
Faulk was about 21 ½ years old when Tennessee drafted him, which made the former Auburn standout one of the youngest prospects in the class. That kind of profile usually comes with a longer runway, and it’s part of why teams put so much weight on age when they evaluate draft talent.
The rookie’s development has also been slowed by missed time. Faulk sat out two preseason games and missed part of training camp because of injury, cutting into the reps he needed before the games started counting.
Through two weeks, Faulk has played 39 snaps, which comes out to 27.27% of Tennessee’s defensive snaps. He has two assists, no solo tackles and no quarterback pressure credited by Pro Football Focus.
The Titans were drawn to Faulk in part because head coach Robert Saleh saw similarities to Arik Armstead, the long, big-bodied defensive end he previously coached. Armstead, now 32 and in his 12th NFL season, was also 21 when he entered the league. He had two sacks as a rookie and didn’t become a major impact player until later in his first contract.
That kind of timeline is exactly why Faulk should be viewed through a patient lens, even if the wait is frustrating.
Saleh’s attacking front can also take time to learn. Even veterans who haven’t played in that system before have reportedly had a tough adjustment at first, which helps explain why Tennessee made a point of bringing in veteran defensive linemen who had already worked under Saleh this offseason.
There’s also a useful comparison in Minnesota Vikings EDGE Dallas Turner. The former Alabama pass rusher was 21 when he was drafted, posted just three sacks as a rookie and didn’t start a game. He took a clear step forward in his second season last year with eight sacks.
Turner has kept rolling this season. Through two games, he leads all NFL edge rushers with 15 wins as a pass rusher, according to ESPN Stats. He already has three sacks, matching his rookie total, and Pro Football Focus has him at a league-best 20 pressures.
Faulk was always a long-term bet for Tennessee, and that reality can be hard to swallow when the Titans’ edge rush is still searching for answers. But the draft investment, the age, the missed prep time and the scheme all point in the same direction: this is a player who needs time.
Auburn asked Faulk to handle a selfless role last season, and in Saleh’s system, there are still reasons to believe the production will come. For now, patience is the smarter call.
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