All things considered, the Indianapolis Colts did pretty well in the 2026 NFL Draft. Not having a first-round pick was challenging, obviously, but general manager Chris Ballard did a solid job of finding value in Days 2 and 3.
However, the rest of the AFC South didn't do too badly, especially the Tennessee Titans. After a notable spending spree in free agency, Robert Saleh got several promising reinforcements ahead of his first year in charge of the team.
Notably, that might include a somewhat familiar Colts player. According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Auburn's Keldric Faulk, their second first-round pick, has similar traits to those of DeForest Buckner, who also played for Saleh.
Tennessee Titans may have found their own version of Indianapolis Colts' DeForest Buckner
"Another SEC defensive lineman in the first round who generated attention was Auburn end Keldric Faulk, who went No. 31 to the Tennessee Titans. At 6-5 and 276 pounds, Faulk has excellent length on the edge, defends the run very well and joins a coach (Robert Saleh) who has had success with taller linemen like DeForest Buckner," Rittenberg wrote.
Saleh was instrumental in Buckner's development during his time with the San Francisco 49ers, so this isn't encouraging news for the rest of the AFC South. Even though Faulk is listed as a defensive end, he's a 6-foot-6, 276-pound physical specimen who's been a better run-stopper than headhunter so far. He only had 10 sacks in his career at Auburn, but he was a dominant force on the ground.
Of course, the Colts' running game should continue to be one of the best in the league for as long as Quenton Nelson and Jonathan Taylor are there, but this is a concern nonetheless, especially given all the doubts on the right side of the offensive line.
Robert Saleh's first stint as a head coach left plenty to be desired, but he knows a thing or two about putting together strong defenses. And with Brian Daboll by his side and a former No. 1 pick at quarterback, he might actually be able to put together a decent offense in his second try.
The Colts will be under a ton of pressure after their late-season collapse in 2026, and with a much-improved AFC South, they should no longer feel that confident in their two meetings with the Titans. They saw firsthand what Saleh could do for and with Buckner by his side, and Faulk will be someone to keep a close eye on for the next couple of years at the very least.
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