Detroit hasn’t used a first-round pick on an edge rusher since Hutchinson, and in recent seasons the Lions have mostly paired Hutchinson with veteran free agents rather than drafting another pass rusher early. Last year’s first-round pick was a run-stopping defensive tackle, Tyleik Williams, reflecting a shift away from prioritizing edge pressure in the opening round.
Faulk stands out for his versatility. At 6-foot-6 and about 285 pounds, he can rush from the outside or slide inside, providing power that could draw attention away from Hutchinson and challenge opposing blockers. While his sack total dipped to two last season after a seven-sack season in 2024, proponents view him as an ideal hybrid defensive lineman with high upside.
In Miller’s mock, Faulk is the fourth edge rusher off the board, underscoring his rising profile among evaluators. Other major outlets have also viewed Faulk as a top-20 prospect for the class, including PFF’s Trevor Sikkema and Bleacher Report analysts.
The core idea driving this discussion is to create a balanced, disruptive front that can command attention from interior linemen and offensive tackles, thereby maximizing Hutchinson’s impact. This scenario reflects ongoing draft chatter about Detroit’s best path to another impactful pass rusher alongside their star.
This analysis, including Miller’s pick and Faulk’s ranking, originates from Heavy Sports and highlights how multiple scouts view Faulk as a high-upside option for Detroit at No. 17.
