Highlights:

• Athlon Sports draft expert Luke Easterling proposed that the Dallas Cowboys select Auburn’s Keldric Faulk in the 2026 NFL Draft.
• Faulk would theoretically replace All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons.
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• Cowboys fans should be excited about the thought of Faulk in Dallas.

Life without Micah Parsons isn’t ideal, but it’s a reality that the Dallas Cowboys have nonetheless spent the last month-plus adjusting to — and, considering Parsons’ talent and extensive resume, the transition will likely last long beyond this season.

The Cowboys, specifically owner Jerry Jones, knew what they were getting into when they traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in August. Although the Cowboys are 2-2-1 entering Sunday’s clash with the intriguing Carolina Panthers, you don’t need to watch Dallas for long to see how different a team it is without the All-Pro pass-rusher.

Veteran defensive end James Houston has done his part in recent weeks, tallying a team-high 3.5 sacks and four tackles for loss off the bench. However, the Cowboys still need a long-term, high-impact replacement for Parsons, and Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling has the perfect player in mind.

In his most recent mock draft, Easterling suggested that the Cowboys use the No. 12 pick on Auburn’s Keldric Faulk.

“Faulk is a towering defender with impressive physical traits, and the size/versatility to attack opposing offenses from a wide range of alignments,” Easterling wrote. “That unique skill set gives him a ton of upside at the next level, as does his experience against SEC competition.”

What to Know About Auburn Standout Keldric Faulk

Originally from Highland Home, Ala., the 6-foot-6, 285-pound Faulk has evolved into one of the SEC’s defensive weapons. Faulk owns two sacks and three tackles for a loss, and he’s already broken up three passes.

Although Faulk hasn’t stuffed the stat sheet the way one might expect from a potential first-round pick, he’s nonetheless helped Auburn field one of the nation’s more underrated defenses. The Tigers held opponents to 21.3 points per game last year, and they’ve improved to 16.4 through five games. Keep in mind that Auburn has played three games against Power 4 foes and won’t play an FCS school until hosting Mercer on Nov. 22.

Should the Dallas Cowboys Draft Keldric Faulk?

Unfortunately for Faulk, any conversation regarding him and Dallas will likely circle back to Parsons, and for good reason. As Easterling rightfully noted, there’s no truly replacing Parsons. You can draft Faulk, and you can put him at Parsons’ old position, and you can even give him Parsons’ No. 11, but he almost certainly won’t be Micah Parsons 2.0.

However, that shouldn’t stop Dallas from adding Faulk if the opportunity is there. Even if Houston builds off his strong start, the Cowboys still need a game-changing pass-rusher at their disposal. There’s no reason to think that Faulk can’t be that player, and it’ll be worth monitoring to see how he tests at the NFL Combine and his Pro Day next spring.

The only guarantee with the draft is that there are no guarantees. It’s unrealistic to expect that Faulk or Clemson’s T.J. Parker (who Easterling projected to the Chicago Bears at No. 11) can deliver the immediate Day 1 impact that Parsons did in 2021. But the Cowboys need something if they’re to end their Super Bowl drought, and Faulk definitely makes sense.