ESPN Analytics Mocks 6-Foot-6 Firework Edge Prospect To Patriots Rd. 1

Auburn Tigers defensive end Keldric Faulk

ESPN Analytics Mocks 6-Foot-6 Firework Edge Prospect To Patriots Rd. 1 originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Unlike other mock drafts, ESPN’s latest drop analyzed draft probability based on advanced analytics. The tool is called the “ESPN Analytics Draft Day Predictor,” and it uses data points to predict both the chance the player will be available at the New England Patriots No. 31 pick, and the chance the player will be taken.

This predictor has Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk as the runaway favorite to be the Patriots' selection in the first round.

The prediction seems to hinge on the presumed “57%” chance that Faulk is available at 31, whereas other favorites like Cashius Howell have just a 33% chance.

Although I do not necessarily subscribe to ESPN’s analytics-based predictor, I do think Faulk is an incredibly interesting prospect.

Going into his 2025 season with the Auburn Tigers, Faulk was considered a top-10 lock. He is a six-foot-six monster edge rusher who has prototypical size and strength in every measurable aspect.

The only problem with Faulk as a prospect is that his production was not up to par in his three seasons at Auburn.

He recorded one sack as a true freshman before making a name for himself as a sophomore, posting a seven-sack, 45-tackle season. This put him in conversations as the nation's top edge rusher. Then, in his third and final year, he recorded just two sacks and 29 tackles in 12 games.

The good news is that Faulk is still just 20 years old. His best is yet to come, and given his current projection, if he is selected to one of the league’s top teams at the end of the first round, Faulk has a chance to develop into one of the biggest havoc-wreakers from this class.

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