Insider hints the Cowboys draft selection might infuriate fans in 2026

When Peter Schrager linked Alabama guard Tyler Booker to the Dallas Cowboys last year before the 2025 NFL draft, it caught a lot of people by surprise. Not only wasn’t Booker a topic of conversation in most Cowboys circles but up until then he wasn’t predicted to go anywhere close to the top 12 in the draft. Schrager’s prediction turned out right and many Cowboys fans were left reeling as a result.

Just days before the 2026 NFL draft, Schrager again has offered insight into the Cowboys' plans. This time it’s a player Cowboys fans are all too familiar with: Keldric Faulk. Faulk, a defensive end who stand over 6-foot-5, 276-pounds, is a polarizing figure in fan circles. The Auburn lineman is the ultimate boom-or-bust prospect this cycle and resembles more than a few previous draft prospects gone wrong in Dallas.

Faulk is a pick of potential. Edge player No. 4 on Dane Brugler’s draft board, he has size and athleticism that can’t be taught. His work ethic and leadership ability are rare for a 21-year-old, endearing him to teammates, coaches, and NFL scouts.

Media scouts aren’t quite as sold, identifying Faulk as an early “buyer beware” prospect this cycle. Faulk is undeveloped, inexplosive, and unproven. With only seven combined tackles for loss and sacks in 2025, he averaged 0.58 splash plays per game, well below the 1.0 Mendoza Line of most first round edge prospects.

Schrager didn’t know if the Cowboys were considering Faulk at 12 or at 20, but in either case fans should be braced just in case. Betting on traits and unassumed potential is dangerous business and something that’s bitten Dallas in the butt before.

In 2024 the Cowboys picked Tyler Guyton at Pick 29 for his unassumed potential. Fans were generally upset at the time and two years into the experiment they’re still waiting for Guyton to develop into something resembling league average as a left tackle.

In 2023 the Cowboys used Pick 26 on Mazi Smith for his amazing unassumed potential. He flamed out in spectacular fashion and is no longer with the team. In 2017 it was the enormously built Taco Charlton who tickled the Cowboys’ fancy. He never scratched the surface of his potential and was off the team after two seasons.

but if the interest in Faulk is true, there are reasons to be optimistic for Cowboys fans. NFL scouts universally love the kid with even Brugler himself thinks glowingly of the prospect. Like Booker, he’s a high character player who is going to do everything in his power to succeed. That’s something that Charlton lacked, Smith lacked, and at times Guyton has lacked. Work ethic and attitude go a long way in development and Faulk has that.

There are also age and experience to consider. Old prospects are supposed to dominate just like young one’s are supposed to develop. Faulk is extremely young in his development and has been asked to do a lot of heavy lifting at Auburn. He hasn’t been in a role to put up big stats.

Faulk isn’t flashy nor is he a win-now prospect, but he is special in what he brings to the table and with good coaching and internal drive he could be special as a pro in a short amount of time. Faulk at 12 might be difficult to accept - although so was Booker last year – but 20 isn’t preposterous given the high ceiling and high character of the individual.

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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Insider hints the Cowboys draft selection might infuriate fans in 2026