Keldric Faulk leads off the list and has the 5th best odds out of any player to be picked first overall in this next draft.

Keldric Faulk, Auburn’s breakout defensive star, finds himself with the 5th-best odds to be selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft—a stunning position for a non-quarterback. Doubled down by sportsbooks and expert projections, his placement among elite quarterback prospects highlights just how quickly his stock has risen (foxsports.com).

DraftKings lists Faulk at +2500—tied with Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Clemson’s T.J. Parker—making him the highest‑ranked non‑QB on that board (foxsports.com). Similarly, 4for4’s latest odds place him at +1600, sitting behind only the top four QB prospects in their ranking (4for4.com). Across the Atlantic, Oddschecker’s compilation shows him at a compelling 30/1, once again as the leading non‑quarterback option (oddschecker.com).

It’s rare for a defensive end to flirt with top pick territory, and Faulk’s meteoric rise is rooted in both NCAA performance and elite athletic profile. Standing at 6‑6, 275 pounds, Faulk exploded onto the SEC scene as a freshman, racking up 35 tackles, tallied 11 stops for loss, and notching seven sacks in 2024 (reuters.com). His performance, combined with near‑NFL level length and raw power, have made him a focal point for scouts evaluating high‑ceiling defensive talent.

That statistical production aligns with his odds. Sportsbooks don’t assign first‑overall pick status lightly—especially to non‑QB prospects. For Faulk to sit ahead of even some quarterbacks reflects confidence that his skill set is primed for a dominant NFL career—an edge rusher who can impact games from Day One.

Auburn’s defensive scheme under coordinator Ron Roberts gave Faulk the freedom to flourish: stunting inside, bull‑rushing tackles, and wreaking havoc from all over the line. Mocks and breakout lists have repeatedly named him among defensive ends most likely to leap into the first‑round mix—and his green‑room odds now suggest that projection could stretch into the very top spot .

Behind those odds lies a compelling NFL narrative. Recent seasons have seen pass rushers like Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux go top-ten, but No. 1 picks are traditionally quarterbacks or franchise-altering positioning talents. Faulk, however, emerges as a rare defensive phenomena: someone with not only physical traits but also consistent break‑through tape. Combine measurables, interviews, potential team fits, and Auburn’s scheme will all be measured against those top quarterbacks in final board discussions.

A look at the odds:

• +2500 DraftKings (tied 5th overall, top non-QB) (foxsports.com)
• +1600 4for4 (fifth overall) (4for4.com)
• 30/1 Oddschecker (oddschecker.com)

That mix positions him alongside high-profile QBs and stellar offensive talents like LaNorris Sellers (+2200) and Cade Klubnik (+1200), yet Faulk remains the only defensive player inside that top‑10 range.

Beyond raw odds, Auburn-built models reflect similar belief. Athlon Sports recently slotted Faulk as a first‑round certainty in 2026, further flying in the face of traditional projections (news.bet365.com, sports.yahoo.com). That kind of endorsement, backed by software that blends tape, production, and athleticism, underscores the seriousness of his NFL consideration.

Of course, odds and mock placements are fluid. Faulk must still deliver an equally compelling combine/Pro Day showing and sustain—or surpass—freshman-year performance at Auburn. Injuries or scheme shifts can shift perception quickly. Quarterbacks often dominate top-pick conversations due to positional value, so Faulk’s ability to break through is noteworthy.

Still, Auburn fans have every reason to be optimistic. Their rising star from Highland Home, Alabama, now carries national projection weight not just on paper but in betting markets already nodding to his uprooting of QB-dominated trends. His presence in these odds is a testament not only to his talent but to how college football—and the draft itself—now evaluates defensive difference-makers.

In short:

• Keldric Faulk leads all non-quarterbacks in first-overall pick odds across multiple sportsbooks
• His freshman year (35 tackles, 7 sacks, All‑SEC Freshman honors) validated high expectations (en.wikipedia.org)
• He ranks 5th‑overall in projections, behind only elite quarterback candidates
• Auburn talent development and his breakout puts him on rare defensive player trajectory toward top draft slot

Draft night is a long way away—and projections shift dramatically during each season. But as of now, Faulk sits among the rare defensive elite: a likely first-rounder, and perhaps even the first defender taken first overall in years. That’s a conversation few imagined at this time last year. But all signs now suggest Keldric Faulk isn’t just in the conversation—he’s ahead of the curve.