RatkoVarda Posted January 26 Posted January 26 36 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said: Holmes said it would be "irresponsible" to depend on Manu to be the starting LT next season. can Manu at least replace Skipper? Quote
MichiganCardinal Posted January 26 Posted January 26 (edited) 3 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said: can Manu at least replace Skipper? The man, the myth, the legend that is Dan Skipper? Irreplaceable. But maybe. I don't see why he couldn't be a useful OL6 in jumbo packages. Probably lacks the soft hands to catch the passes though. Edited January 26 by MichiganCardinal Quote
MichiganCardinal Posted February 26 Posted February 26 News from Charlie Campbell who has nailed some Lions info in the past (most notably correctly predicting Gibbs and Jack Campbell to the Lions). Linking us to Keldric Faulk out of Auburn. Quote Since coming to the Detroit Lions, general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have built their “grit” culture through the NFL Draft. In 2023, the media foolishly criticized their draft class for moving down to take running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the top 12 and linebacker Jack Campbell later in the top 20. They added tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch in the second round. I awarded the Lions the best draft class in the league that year, and months later, that group helped Detroit come very close to getting into the Super Bowl. The Lions look for specific kinds of players from a talent perspective, but also players that fit their culture. One 2026 NFL Draft prospect that fits their culture and what they want on the field is Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk. In speaking to team sources, the Lions really like Faulk, and he is in play for their first-round pick at 17th overall. For the Lions’ defensive scheme, they like big defensive ends that are strong and have length at the point of attack. At 6-foot-6, 276 pounds, Faulk has the size to set the edge and is a tough run defender at the point of attack. Faulk was a beast for Auburn in 2024, with a big-time presence behind the line of scrimmage. He had seven sacks, 45 tackles, and one forced fumble. In 2025, Faulk had 29 tackles and two sacks, but Auburn hurt his production by having him play more two-gap. Sources say that Faulk is a great kid, a hard worker, and loves football. From his talent and character, Faulk is a great fit for Detroit. While Faulk fits the Lions well, sources say Detroit has a lot of moving parts. Veteran left tackle Taylor Decker could retire, but even if he returns, looking towards the future, left tackle to protect the blindside of Jared Goff is of high importance. Detroit also needs to improve the interior of the offensive line. The Lions could also address defensive end in free agency to prompt them to go another route in the draft. Faulk also could rise in the lead-up to the draft and may not make it to the Lions’ pick. In my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft, I have one of these scenarios playing out. However, team sources say the Lions really like Faulk and he is in play for their first-round pick. 1 1 Quote
Jason_R Posted February 26 Posted February 26 Decker is back. If they didn’t think he was capable of making it through the season they would have cut him. I feel OK about him, great about Sewell, very good about Ratledge and good about Mahogany/Frazier. Draft/sign/trade for a center, sign a backup to Decker. Then use your first for a bookend for Hutch like Faulk. Quote
MichiganCardinal Posted February 26 Posted February 26 On 1/13/2026 at 10:46 AM, MichiganCardinal said: Faulk would be an excellent cultural and schematic fit. He's everything Josh Paschal was supposed to be and then some. Faulk is an absolute monster in stuffing the run and is one of the hardest workers you will find in the college game. On paper a starting defensive front of Hutch-McNeill-Williams-Faulk should realistically develop into the best run defense in the league. I would venture to say that he has more pass rushing chops than his stats would suggest. Auburn lined him up as a 2-gap in a 3-4 base, between the guard and tackle, and allowed him to just feast on the run. Which is great, unless you're an edge rusher looking for millions of dollars in first round money and need sacks to do so. In an NFL nickel base defense, I wouldn't expect him to jump off the page in 2026 with sack numbers, but I think he could develop into a guy that by 2027 or 2028 can also line up on the edge on 3rd and long and win a one-on-one against a tackle, getting after the QB. As it is though, he's more of a IDLman that will collapse the pocket on the interior. I thought I had said something to this effect. But now someone with a website said it while citing “sources.” Objectively Faulk is a great fit. Whether he’s there at #17 and makes sense is a different story. If a guy like Francis Mauigoa falls into their lap it’s hard to pass on a glaring 2027 need at OT. Quote
Nate7474 Posted February 27 Posted February 27 5 minutes ago, Hongbit said: He’s been one of my favorite players to take in the mock draft simulators when available. I think he will be great at the next level. Quote
RatkoVarda Posted February 27 Posted February 27 13 hours ago, Nate7474 said: He’s been one of my favorite players to take in the mock draft simulators when available. I think he will be great at the next level. unlike most teams that use 4/2/5 defensive lineup, Lions go with a lot of traditional 4/3/4 if you want to sometimes (or fulltime) move to a 4/2/5, having Campbell and Styles at LB seems like a great idea Quote
MichiganCardinal Posted February 27 Posted February 27 9 minutes ago, RatkoVarda said: unlike most teams that use 4/2/5 defensive lineup, Lions go with a lot of traditional 4/3/4 if you want to sometimes (or fulltime) move to a 4/2/5, having Campbell and Styles at LB seems like a great idea There’s probably some chicken and egg debate about the defensive lineups from last year. Especially after Branch, Joseph, Reed, and Arnold were all hurt, a nickel defense meant playing a lot of backup DBs around Amik, while Barnes sat on the bench. Whereas a more traditional 4-3 meant you had one less practice squad DB out there, with Barnes, Campbell, and Anzalone at linebacker (any of whom could drop back in man coverage if called upon). Of course the latter is preferable. A 4-3 for the 2025 Lions just meant having your best players out there. That’s not to say you’re wrong about Styles. There’s a lot to like and if he’s the best player on the board they may take him. Quote
1984Echoes Posted February 27 Posted February 27 (edited) 19 hours ago, Nate7474 said: He’s been one of my favorite players to take in the mock draft simulators when available. I think he will be great at the next level. I snagged him once in a mock... But I think he's a draft "riser" and will end up in the top 10 so we'd have to move up to get him. IMO. I'm sticking with 1st and 2nd round = OT and Edge for now... I think it's Faulk that will slide down to us... (All the speed rushers will "rise" and Faulk as the stodgy run-edge-setter will be the guy that falls to us: just a WAG). Edited February 27 by 1984Echoes Quote
Nate7474 Posted February 27 Posted February 27 1 hour ago, 1984Echoes said: I snagged him once in a mock... But I think he's a draft "riser" and will end up in the top 10 so we'd have to move up to get him. IMO. I'm sticking with 1st and 2nd round = OT and Edge for now... I think it's Faulk that will slide down to us... (All the speed rushers will "rise" and Faulk as the stodgy run-edge-setter will be the guy that falls to us: just a WAG). I agree that he will be a riser. I also agree on Faulk being a target as he is exactly what they have said what they want in a DE. Big body who sets the edge and stops the run game first. Quote
1984Echoes Posted February 28 Posted February 28 2 hours ago, Nate7474 said: I agree that he will be a riser. I also agree on Faulk being a target as he is exactly what they have said what they want in a DE. Big body who sets the edge and stops the run game first. And lives and breathes football, a leader in the clubhouse, do anything for his coach and team (team first guy...). I think he is a Brad Holmes Model 1A. Quote
Shinzaki Posted March 2 Posted March 2 (edited) https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVXGmzPDm4O/?igsh=MWtnZ2s0cjY5cXJuNw== Lions should draft him based on the memes alone Edited March 2 by Shinzaki Quote
Nate7474 Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Aren’t we going to pickup an extra comp pick in the 3rd round for Glenn and a possible 4th round for Davis leaving? If so, there is going to be a lot of ammo to move around in the middle of the draft. Quote
1984Echoes Posted March 3 Posted March 3 (edited) 8 hours ago, Motown Bombers said: What I would disagree with on this is that we wouldn't be able to handle 9 new players... I'm calling BS on that... Half of the guys they draft will end up on the practice squad anyways... And the starters or cheap depth that this team could use, to develop, practice squad, coach up or otherwise... Equals: 1 OT, 1 IOL (Center or Ratledge = starting center so Guard... or Guard/Center capable), 1 TE (or possibly 2?), backup RB who is a bigger between-the-tackles/ goalline back, 1 DE, 1 DT, 1 LB'er, 1 CB, 2 Safeties. Or, in other words: between 9 and 11 players. Doesn't mean Holmes can get 9 "Lions" players in this draft... And obviously, Holmes is not drafting 9 starters for those positions. A lot of those guys will end up as backups... hopefully high-quality backups... But, yeah, we need the depth and 9 is not an unabsorbable number of new players. IMO. Edited March 3 by 1984Echoes Quote
buddha Posted March 3 Posted March 3 8 hours ago, Nate7474 said: Aren’t we going to pickup an extra comp pick in the 3rd round for Glenn and a possible 4th round for Davis leaving? If so, there is going to be a lot of ammo to move around in the middle of the draft. i thought they traded the glenn comp picks to get teslaa. Quote
Motown Bombers Posted March 3 Posted March 3 Yes, the comp pick for developing a black coach was traded for a white wide receiver. The Rooney Rule failed. 1 Quote
Nate7474 Posted March 3 Posted March 3 5 minutes ago, buddha said: i thought they traded the glenn comp picks to get teslaa. I just read that and was definitional wrong. I figured you couldn't trade a pick before it technically was awarded to you thinking they would be awarded one at a time for 2 years not both together. Should still get a nice pick Comp pick yet for last seasons Free agents. Quote
MichiganCardinal Posted 4 hours ago Posted 4 hours ago First Round Shortlist 1. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 2. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn 3. Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami 4. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 5. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU 6. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Second Round Shortlist 1. Max Iheanschor, OT, Arizona State 2. Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina 3. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia 4. Akheem Mesidore, EDGE, Miami 5. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State 6. Deonte Lawson, LB, Alabama Quote
Jason_R Posted 3 hours ago Posted 3 hours ago 13 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said: First Round Shortlist 1. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 2. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn 3. Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami 4. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 5. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU 6. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Second Round Shortlist 1. Max Iheanschor, OT, Arizona State 2. Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina 3. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia 4. Akheem Mesidore, EDGE, Miami 5. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State 6. Deonte Lawson, LB, Alabama “Brad Holmes, do you or do you not affirm this to be your official list of draft priorities?” 1 Quote
Mr.TaterSalad Posted 3 hours ago Author Posted 3 hours ago No thanks on Keldric Faulk at this point. I was on the fence about him, but am off the bandwagon I think. A DE/Edge with 10 sacks over 3 seasons of play does not excite me. Last season he only had 2 sacks and 30 total QB pressures. The guy ranked 470th in the NCAA in total sacks and 160th in QB pressures per PFF. His best season at Auburn he had 7 sacks total and that was last year. I get that you can't directly compare him to some of the guys I am about to mention because he probably faced a fair amount of double teams and Auburn simply wasn't a good team. Compared to a guy like David Bailey at Texas Tech who had 15 sacks and 73 total QB pressures. Rueben Bain Jr. at Miami had 10 sacks and 67 pressures. Cashius Howell at Texas A&M had 10 sacks and 41 pressures. Now, we won't be in position to draft David Bailey, but I think Bain and Howell are at least semi-realistic and I'd take either over Faulk. Keldric Faulk seems like a Josh Paschal-type player to me only a bit taller. A guy who sets the edge, plays against the run, but is only average when it comes to being a pass rusher. I'm not spending a first round pick on an DE/edge that gets minimal pressure on the QB and is there to simply set the edge. I want my first round DE/edge player to be able to get at the QB and generate consistent pressure. I saw an NFL.com comparison of Faulk to Carlos Dunlap, which I don't get. Dunlap seems much more explosive off the line and at the point of attack. Dunlap also had 10 and 13 sacks over two seasons at Florida. Faulk had only one decent year at Auburn with 7 sacks. Quote
Mr.TaterSalad Posted 3 hours ago Author Posted 3 hours ago 35 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said: First Round Shortlist 1. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami 2. Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn 3. Reuben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami 4. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 5. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU 6. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Second Round Shortlist 1. Max Iheanschor, OT, Arizona State 2. Jalon Kilgore, DB, South Carolina 3. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia 4. Akheem Mesidore, EDGE, Miami 5. Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State 6. Deonte Lawson, LB, Alabama I like most of your first round shortlist with the exception of Faulk. I don't hate Faulk, but his lack of pass rush concerns me. There are more productive pass rushers, like Bain, that I would put above him. Really, I would swap Faulk out for Cashius Howell the DE from Texas A&M. I also like Akheem Mesidor based on production, but his age at 24 scares me. Quote
Mr.TaterSalad Posted 3 hours ago Author Posted 3 hours ago This is what PFF said about Keldric Faulk . . . EDGE Keldric Faulk, Auburn Faulk is blessed with a freakish build and potentially untapped athleticism. He’s also proven himself to be an excellent run defender, posting a near-elite 89.2 PFF run-defense grade over the past two seasons. That part of his game will never be in question, but there should be concerns about his ability to rush the passer at the next level. Faulk’s immense size and play style are more suited for a classic 3-4 defensive end who plays directly over offensive tackles. Those fronts are used less often now than they were in prior decades. However, that alignment isn’t ideal for rushing the passer, and Faulk has yet to show he can do so at an elite level. He set a career high with a 72.5 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024 before ranking outside the top 200 qualified edge defenders with his 66.0 pass-rush grade in 2025. Over the past two seasons, Faulk tallied 75 pressures — 37 of which were charted as either unblocked or clean-up pressures. That leaves his pass-rush win rate, 11.5%, in the range of 2025 first-rounders Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart, both of whom carried pass-rush concerns heading into last year’s draft. Similar faults in Faulk’s game could see him fall out of the first round. Quote
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