The Chicago Bears have managed to keep everybody guessing as to who they may have circled for the 25th overall pick in the upcoming 2026 draft. Experts have reached out to what sources they have, trying to get a feel for where the team might be leaning. Some think head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles will look to address the left tackle position. Others keep circling safety as the major target. Yet Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, one of the most plugged-in guys regarding the team, has maintained it will be an edge rusher. Now Albert Breer of the MMQB, who also has pretty strong Bears ties, chimed in. He’s hearing the name to watch is Keldric Faulk.
Breer revealed this on ESPN 1000 with Kap & J-Hood. He’s been digging into his contacts for weeks, gathering information. Many inside the league believe that Faulk is the one player who stands out as an obvious Dennis Allen guy. If he is on the board at #25, expect the Bears to turn the card in quickly. The Auburn defensive end has all of the tools Allen covets: size, length, power, and great run-stopping ability.
Keldric Faulk comes with a massive risk.
There is no denying that the big edge rusher has plenty of tools. Guys with his dimensions tend to have long, productive NFL careers. The problem is he hasn’t demonstrated much capability in the one category that matters most. His pass rush productivity was a problem in college. In three seasons, he managed just 10 sacks. His 11.6% pass rush win rate was the worst of any 1st round prospect in this draft class. Having a great run defender is important in the NFL, but 1st round picks should be designated for guys who can get to the quarterback.
What people struggle to determine is how much of this is his fault. There are a few factors worth mentioning. Faulk is still just 20 years old. He is very young and still learning the game. Some also believe Auburn’s decision to move him around so often limited his opportunities to get after the quarterback, which further explains the lack of production.
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Even so, he doesn’t demonstrate great explosiveness in his lower body, making it difficult for him to close the gap on a quarterback before the ball is out. He has a great motor and is improving technically, but beating opponents with speed will never be his thing.
So why is Allen so persistent about this?
The simplest answer is that size, length, and power tend to translate well to the NFL. It’s been the case for many years. Go back and look at the players with similar measurables to Keldric Faulk taken in the 1st round since 2000. You’re going to find a lot of really good-to-great players in the mix. You can’t teach 6’6″, 276 lbs, and 34-inch arms. Some of the best pass rushers the NFL has today and has seen in the past 25 years have showcased dimensions exactly like that. Allen coached one of them in New Orleans.
| Player | Year | Pick | Height | Weight | Arm Length | Draft Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keldric Faulk | 2026 | N/A | 6’5 7/8″ | 276 lbs | 34 3/8″ | Auburn Tigers |
| Tyree Wilson | 2023 | 7 | 6’6″ | 271 lbs | 35 5/8″ | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Lukas Van Ness | 2023 | 13 | 6’5″ | 272 lbs | 34″ | Green Bay Packers |
| Travon Walker | 2022 | 1 | 6’5″ | 272 lbs | 35 1/2″ | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Aidan Hutchinson | 2022 | 2 | 6’7″ | 260 lbs | 32 1/8″ | Detroit Lions |
| Gregory Rousseau | 2021 | 30 | 6’7″ | 266 lbs | 34 3/4″ | Buffalo Bills |
| Clelin Ferrell | 2019 | 4 | 6’4″ | 264 lbs | 34 1/8″ | Oakland Raiders |
| Bradley Chubb | 2018 | 5 | 6’4″ | 269 lbs | 34″ | Denver Broncos |
| Myles Garrett | 2017 | 1 | 6’4″ | 272 lbs | 35 1/4″ | Cleveland Browns |
| DeForest Buckner | 2016 | 7 | 6’7″ | 291 lbs | 34 3/8″ | San Francisco 49ers |
| Arik Armstead | 2015 | 17 | 6’7″ | 292 lbs | 33″ | San Francisco 49ers |
| Jadeveon Clowney | 2014 | 1 | 6’5″ | 266 lbs | 34 1/2″ | Houston Texans |
| J.J. Watt | 2011 | 11 | 6’5″ | 290 lbs | 34″ | Houston Texans |
| Robert Quinn | 2011 | 14 | 6’4″ | 265 lbs | 34″ | St. Louis Rams |
| Cameron Jordan | 2011 | 24 | 6’4″ | 287 lbs | 35″ | New Orleans Saints |
| Tyson Jackson | 2009 | 3 | 6’4″ | 290 lbs | 33 1/2″ | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Mario Williams | 2006 | 1 | 6’7″ | 295 lbs | 34 1/4″ | Houston Texans |
| Courtney Brown | 2000 | 1 | 6’5″ | 270 lbs | 34″ | Cleveland Browns |
Yes, it is true that Faulk’s pass rush capability is questionable. That is the great fear. We’ve seen plenty of instances where players like that never figure it out in the pros. Wilson, Van Ness, and Ferrell are three major examples. That said, guys can learn. He’s one of the youngest prospects in the entire draft. If his work ethic is as good as scouts say, then he should be able to figure it out.
