If you look at the San Francisco 49ers' realistic options with the 27th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Auburn's Keldric Faulk is the one who seems to be at the top of most fans' lists. The only question that remains is if he'll fall this far, and that's looking less likely with each passing day.
They could go offensive tackle or wide receiver instead, but Faulk is the elite run defender that a Raheem Morris-led defense covets. Even though he isn't stout against the pass, the number of teams that could use a tone-setting defensive lineman like Faulk is a brutal blow to the Niners' draft hopes.
However, it seems like the 21-year-old will likely be long gone by the time that San Francisco is on the clock, which fans can blame on one of the many teams betting on his potential. And from where I'm sitting the team the 49ers should be most worried about in regards to Faulk are the Miami Dolphins.
The Miami Dolphins could steal the 49ers' dream draft target away from them in Keldric Faulk
Due to the Jaylen Waddle trade, the Dolphins have two first-round picks in the 2026 Draft: their own 11th overall pick, and the 30th pick via the Denver Broncos. While him slipping all the way to 30 is even less likely, trading up to leap-frog the Niners for the All-SEC defensive lineman isn't unlikely.
The Dolphins have four third-round picks they could part with to move up: picks 75, 87, 90, and 94, so trading up to the early 20s for him feels like a likely scenario. However, there's also the potential outcome where they seriously reach for Faulk and draft him over guys like Makai Lemon at pick 11.
The Dolphins aren't really a team who considers league consensus in their draft approach. They drafted borderline first-round talent Kenneth Grant 13th overall in the 2025 Draft, and edge Chop Robinson late in the first round in 2024, players who their front office was higher on than anyone else-- but that's Chris Grier for ya. But Jon-Eric Sullivan might have the exact same plan percolating.
Just like he would be for Raheem Morris' defense, Faulk projects to be a perfect fit in Jeff Hafley's defense in Miami. He would be a good complement to Robinson, and Zach Sieler on the defensive line, and is the exact type of player the Dolphins always tend to have in their crosshairs, even after signing Josh Uche and David Ojabo to one-year deals.
Faulk has the traits and the athleticism to be great, but he isn't quite there yet. For a raw pass-rusher, seven sacks in 2025 is impressive, but most of it came against weak competition. They can afford the patience with him, but drafting an NFL-ready run defender and a raw pass-rusher is peak Dolphins.
Even if Faulk doesn't end up in Miami, teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Los Angeles Chargers could draft him before the 49ers get a chance to. So even is most fans don't agree that he's a first-round talent, it would be a surprise to see him still available with the Niners up at 27.
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