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The Cincinnati Bengals took a first-round edge rusher last season in Shemar Stewart who was questioned throughout the draft process for his lack of production at the college level. Stewart only had 4.5 sacks during his time at Texas A&M.
The latest mock draft from NFL Network's Bucky Brooks has the Bengals taking another SEC edge-rusher who wasn't known for his production but is viewed with a lot of upside.
RELATED: It sounds like Joe Burrow is putting major pressure on Bengals brass
Brooks has the Bengals taking Auburn edge Keldric Faulk with the 10th pick. Brooks even notes that Faulk's game is "unrefined" but has a lot of potential with more development.
"Despite his unrefined game as a pass rusher, Faulk could be in play for the Bengals due to his disruptive potential on the edge. As a rugged run defender with explosive strength and power, the Auburn product could thrive as a base end in Al Golden's scheme."
Faulk did have seven sacks in 2024, but that number dipped to just two in 2025. Part of that is scheme, similar to Stewart. Faulk played a lot of 4i-technique (inside shade of the offensive tackle).
The selling point on Faulk is his motor and upside along with his age. He turns 21 on Labor Day. He has excellent quickness off the ball and also shows strength against the run. He needs development on his pass-rush plan and his bend getting after the quarterback. If he can clean that up, he can be a force on the edge.
Faulk is going to be an interesting study in this draft, similar to Stewart. How valuable are the tools he possesses, how much do teams think they can develop him and how high of a draft pick is all that worth? Would the Bengals spend a top-10 pick on that development, when they need defensive help immediately?
In this mock, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese (or Vell Reese, as his placard at the Scouting Combine said), Texas Tech edge David Bailey and Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr., along with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, were all off the board. Faulk could be viewed as the next-best edge-defender. The Bengals would be banking on their ability to develop Faulk and hope he becomes a strong partner to Stewart.
RELATED: Bengals’ top storylines to watch at NFL combine
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals take top-10 risk on 'unrefined' player in mock draft
Continue reading...
The latest mock draft from NFL Network's Bucky Brooks has the Bengals taking another SEC edge-rusher who wasn't known for his production but is viewed with a lot of upside.
RELATED: It sounds like Joe Burrow is putting major pressure on Bengals brass
Brooks has the Bengals taking Auburn edge Keldric Faulk with the 10th pick. Brooks even notes that Faulk's game is "unrefined" but has a lot of potential with more development.
"Despite his unrefined game as a pass rusher, Faulk could be in play for the Bengals due to his disruptive potential on the edge. As a rugged run defender with explosive strength and power, the Auburn product could thrive as a base end in Al Golden's scheme."
Faulk did have seven sacks in 2024, but that number dipped to just two in 2025. Part of that is scheme, similar to Stewart. Faulk played a lot of 4i-technique (inside shade of the offensive tackle).
The selling point on Faulk is his motor and upside along with his age. He turns 21 on Labor Day. He has excellent quickness off the ball and also shows strength against the run. He needs development on his pass-rush plan and his bend getting after the quarterback. If he can clean that up, he can be a force on the edge.
Faulk is going to be an interesting study in this draft, similar to Stewart. How valuable are the tools he possesses, how much do teams think they can develop him and how high of a draft pick is all that worth? Would the Bengals spend a top-10 pick on that development, when they need defensive help immediately?
In this mock, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese (or Vell Reese, as his placard at the Scouting Combine said), Texas Tech edge David Bailey and Miami edge Rueben Bain Jr., along with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, were all off the board. Faulk could be viewed as the next-best edge-defender. The Bengals would be banking on their ability to develop Faulk and hope he becomes a strong partner to Stewart.
RELATED: Bengals’ top storylines to watch at NFL combine
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals take top-10 risk on 'unrefined' player in mock draft
Continue reading...
