2026 Cowboys Draft Chatter Thread

[Simpleton]

I think you're taking to much liberty with the word easily. Gary is much more agile in his movement skills.

I'd say that's probably his peak. His floor is closer to Payton Turner.

There's a reason Gary went higher than Faulk should but I think a cross between Gary and Armstead is sort of what you're looking at, not in an absolute beat case scenario but as a realistic good outcome.

Sure, maybe Turner in a negative outcome, but you can't just call out busts who fit a similar profile and ignore the hits.

You can play that game with basically any prospect.

 

[Simpleton]

Pretty good explanation of my feelings on him.

Yes it's obvious what the negatives are, but saying things like "I just wish there was more pass rush" or "poor production" just ignores a lot of nuance.

There are definitely weak spots but he was also put into positions that actively held him back from just letting the pass rush rip.

You can't just look at "metrics" without digging deep into how he was used because there's really more nuance to how we was used than you see with most edges. Christen Miller makes some sense if you're saying you want an interior run stuffer, but Faulk will be significantly better as an interior pass rusher if that's how he ends up being used.

As I've been saying for a while, it comes down to what you're characterizing him as. His pass rush as an edge rusher?

Yes it's an issue, it's a different story projecting him rushing on the interior.

 

[Cotton]

it's a different story projecting him rushing on the interior.

Here is where I think you jump the shark like it's a cop car. I think that projection is irresponsible and tbh kind of foolish.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Here is where I think you jump the shark like it's a cop car.

That was a bridge too far, sir.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This may seem silly, but I'll put it out there. Anyway, I remember one play from Faulk that stuck out for me.

It was just a routine run up the middle and basically he and another guy had the RB stopped. No big deal, not a great play by anyone. But as the back was stopped, Faulk slams him pretty violently to the ground with basically one arm. And with terrible leverage with his arm extended, almost like if you were doing a dumbbell fly with your arm parallel to the ground. That showed me one, a bunch of twitch, and two, some country strength almost like we saw out of Tyler Smith as a rookie, where he would be caught out of position but somehow had the core and natural strength to recover -- not something you build in a weight room like with a bench press, but the kind you're just born with that can't be taught.

I think little things like that are what scouts are seeing. Doesn't mean he can't bust, but he does have some ability that not everyone has. And by all accounts he's a good kid and hard worker (and he's young), so odds are pretty good he'll continue to improve.

 

[Simpleton]

Here is where I think you jump the shark like it's a cop car. I think that projection is irresponsible and tbh kind of foolish.

Not really, I'm saying he should be an interior rusher in passing situations only, like every 3rd and 5+, plus other stuff situationally. That's not a stretch at all.

How Zach Allen is used is how I'd use him and I think that's a very different evaluation compared to just looking at him as an edge rusher.

 

[Simpleton]

This may seem silly, but I'll put it out there. Anyway, I remember one play from Faulk that stuck out for me.

It was just a routine run up the middle and basically he and another guy had the RB stopped. No big deal, not a great play by anyone. But as the back was stopped, Faulk slams him pretty violently to the ground with basically one arm. And with terrible leverage with his arm extended, almost like if you were doing a dumbbell fly with your arm parallel to the ground. That showed me one, a bunch of twitch, and two, some country strength almost like we saw out of Tyler Smith as a rookie, where he would be caught out of position but somehow had the core and natural strength to recover -- not something you build in a weight room like with a bench press, but the kind you're just born with that can't be taught.

I think little things like that are what scouts are seeing. Doesn't mean he can't bust, but he does have some ability that not everyone has. And by all accounts he's a good kid and hard worker (and he's young), so odds are pretty good he'll continue to improve.

This is sort of what I'm getting at when I say his evaluation is very nuanced, much more so than most edge prospects. You really have to dig into the details given how he was used last year and be specific about what you're projecting him as.

Just saying "he isn't great pass rushing off the edge" is way too back of a description, it's true but it ignores why he's likely a top 20ish pick.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Just saying "he isn't great pass rushing off the edge" is way too back of a description, it's true but it ignores why he's likely a top 20ish pick.

He isn't great at rushing, period. No need to say edge, this interior rushing awesomeness is nowhere to be found.

But he is a good run defending 3-4 DE.

 

[Genghis Khan]

He isn't great at rushing, period. No need to say edge, this interior rushing awesomeness is nowhere to be found.

But he is a good run defending 3-4 DE.

Exactly.

Can he get there? Does he have traits that could be a big asset in the pros? Sure.

But the question of whether he'll ever be a plus pass rusher knocks him back a peg or two in my book. I just like to see it before I leap in the first.

I don't hate him, but like we were saying before I think he's the type of guy that could be pretty useful and you're happy that you took him in a middle round. But you're pretty underwhelmed by him if he's a first rounder.

 

[Simpleton]

He isn't great at rushing, period. No need to say edge, this interior rushing awesomeness is nowhere to be found.

But he is a good run defending 3-4 DE.

It's nowhere to be found in the stats because he's often asked to take on 2-3 guys to free up blitzers. You have to dig for the 1-on-1's, and also project a bit based on what you see from him at times when he's 1-on-1 on the edge, but it's there.

 

[Simpleton]

The only reason I keep responding about Faulk is because the talk of being a 3rd/4th is just nonsense stuff.

You want to say we shouldn't take him at 20? Sure.

You want to say he should go around 40 or whatever? I don't agree exactly but it's a reasonable opinion.

But this talk of him being nothing but a useless lump against the pass who could be a consideration at pick 100 is nonsense.

Arik Armstead: 6071, 292, 33 inch arms, 5.10 40 (1.75 10 split), 34 vertical, 9-9 broad jump, 10.5 TFL and 4 sacks over 3 college seasons

Travon Walker: 6050, 272, 35.5 inch arms, 4.51 40 (1.54 10 split), 35.5 vertical, 10-3 broad jump, 12.5 TFL and 9.5 sacks over 3 college seasons

Keldric Faulk: 6057, 274, 34.5 inch arms, 4.68 40 (1.68 10 split), 35 vertical, 9-9 broad jump, 19.5 TFL, 10 sacks

There's a reason guys like this go relatively high and just dismissing them because they don't put up big stats in college is missing the point.

Are there guys with that profile who bust?

Obviously, but that's true at any position.

Just say you don't value bigger edge types who have average production and be done with it, but let's not pretend that prospects like him shouldn't go high because there's a history of it happening and a history of them working out, they just aren't going to be elite speed rushers.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

It's nowhere to be found in the stats because he's often asked to take on 2-3 guys to free up blitzers. You have to dig for the 1-on-1's, and also project a bit based on what you see from him at times when he's 1-on-1 on the edge, but it's there.

I've seen the one on ones. It's not ugly. But it's not great either. Its stand-up and run down the middle of the blocker. But don't bull rush. More like hang out at the line of scrimmage.

I've seen him on the interior rush as well. Sometimes he shoots a gap and it works ok but it's rare on film. And rarely leads to actually making a play in the backfield. But its not some killer move he is putting on anyone. It's just fly upfield and hope to beat the slower guards. And if they get hands on him it's a bunch of nothing.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

The only reason I keep responding about Faulk is because the talk of being a 3rd/4th is just nonsense stuff.

I think the problem is it's not nonsense. No doubt he will likely go in the first round. But I'd almost guarantee there are NFL teams that have a third round grade on him on their board. I think everyone assumes every NFL teams draft board looks like the consensus. It doesn't.

 

[Simpleton]

I think the problem is it's not nonsense. No doubt he will likely go in the first round. But I'd almost guarantee there are NFL teams that have a third round grade on him on their board. I think everyone assumes every NFL teams draft board looks like the consensus. It doesn't.

Sure and some teams have Mesidor above Bain, teams have some crazy grades. My point is there's a long history of guys like him going in the first and a history of it working out, there's a reason for it even when the film doesn't pop and it's not just because of measureables.

His evaluation is just very nuanced and not easy to discern from watching 20 snaps or a highlight video or two.

 

[Cotton]

There's a reason guys like this go relatively high and just dismissing them because they don't put up big stats in college is missing the point.

I don't think any of us have really dwelled on stats when talking about Faulk, or at least not that I have seen. We are just talking about how he looks on tape. And, (to me at least) he showed me nothing that would make me think he would translate into anything more than he already is even if moved to the interior on passing downs. I just don't see it.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I think the problem is it's not nonsense. No doubt he will likely go in the first round. But I'd almost guarantee there are NFL teams that have a third round grade on him on their board. I think everyone assumes every NFL teams draft board looks like the consensus. It doesn't.

Exactly right. And teams blow picks all the time. And I feel like when teams blow picks it's often for this exact reason - projecting a guy's production based on traits.

 

[Simpleton]

I don't think any of us have really dwelled on stats when talking about Faulk, or at least not that I have seen. We are just talking about how he looks on tape. And, (to me at least) he showed me nothing that would make me think he would translate into anything more than he already is even if moved to the interior on passing downs. I just don't see it.

I'd love to know how many of you have watched 3-4 full games of Faulk, I'm guessing it's maybe one, so please don't tell me it's about "tape" when the conversation has centered on stats and a lack of edge rush for two months.

And those are valid arguments, which is why I get having him at 40 or whatever, but he's not a 3rd round player except for maybe a few outlier teams.

 

[Cotton]

I'd love to know how many of you have watched 3-4 full games of Faulk, I'm guessing it's maybe one, so please don't tell me it's about "tape" when the conversation has centered on stats and a lack of edge rush for two months.

And those are valid arguments, which is why I get having him at 40 or whatever, but he's not a 3rd round player except for maybe a few outlier teams.

You're right. I have not watched 3-4 full games of him. So, I guess I will bow out of the conversation and let the "gurus" on the board talk about him.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

His evaluation is just very nuanced and not easy to discern from watching 20 snaps or a highlight video or two.

I think people are able to convince themselves of seeing something that isn't there because they like the size or the length. I've actually watched a lot of him. Maybe more snaps than any of the other guys in this draft. I've watched both highlights and regular games now. I'd hoped the highlights of 2024 would show me what you see. Like hey, go watch the best of the best plays and you'll definitely see this inside pass rush. Especially the year he had 7 sacks.

True I'm not a big fan of the big DE without production. The guys who are A+ run defenders but D level pass rushers. You've seen my opinions over the years. And the majority of the time I end up right in my opinion.

I love the tall DT types for what you want. Derrick Harmon for example. Lined up some at end and some at DT. Watched him a ton and loved him.

Maybe I'm being unfair to Faulk. I like him, just don't like him anywhere in the first round. I think he could be a starter here at DE. I'd love him in the third. I'd be good with him in the second. I'd hate him in the first. At 20 years old he could become what you think. Add 10 pounds and grow into it. I just don't see it right now. I see more of what you're talking about in Dennis-Sutton than Faulk.

 

[Simpleton]

I think people are able to convince themselves of seeing something that isn't there because they like the size or the length. I've actually watched a lot of him. Maybe more snaps than any of the other guys in this draft. I've watched both highlights and regular games now. I'd hoped the highlights of 2024 would show me what you see. Like hey, go watch the best of the best plays and you'll definitely see this inside pass rush. Especially the year he had 7 sacks.

True I'm not a big fan of the big DE without production. The guys who are A+ run defenders but D level pass rushers. You've seen my opinions over the years. And the majority of the time I end up right in my opinion.

I love the tall DT types for what you want. Derrick Harmon for example. Lined up some at end and some at DT. Watched him a ton and loved him.

Maybe I'm being unfair to Faulk. I like him, just don't like him anywhere in the first round. I think he could be a starter here at DE. I'd love him in the first. I'd be good with him in the second. I'd hate him in the first. At 20 years old he could become what you think. Add 10 pounds and grow into it. I just don't see it right now. I see more of what you're talking about in Dennis-Sutton than Faulk.

I know that's your MO as far as guys without production, etc., we've had several of these conversations over the years and I don't blame anybody for having him as a 2nd, maybe even a late 2nd.

I'm just saying talking about him as a 3/4 is ridiculous in my opinion, which I've discussed way too many times.