Draft 2026: EDGE - Keldric Faulk, Cashius Howell, Romello Height
More early round EDGE options for the Lions
The EDGE position will be a top priority early in the draft for the Lions given the lack of young players behind Aidan Hutchinson.
Here are a couple 1st round options for the Lions as well as a 2nd round prospect.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Keldric Faulk, EDGE (21): “clean-up” surgery, minor late injury - 3/10 concern
Cashius Howell, EDGE (age uncertain, 23?): remote shoulder, age? - 2/10 concern
Romello Height, EDGE (25): shoulder surgery, age - 5/10
Keldric Faulk, EDGE (21) - Auburn
Projected round 1. #27 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27. Mocked to Lions in 1st round by Matt Miller ESPN.
Concern level 3/10
2025: 12/12 games. Minor “ding” in penultimate game.
2024: 12/12 games. “Clean-up” surgery after season.
2023: 13/13 games
Faulk’s size of 6’ 6”, 285lbs is reminiscent of Marcus Davenport who the Lions are looking to replace. His young age is a very nice positive. He logged 19.5 TFL and 10 sacks in college.
The clean-up surgery is definitely something to look into as it often implies cartilage loss. The exact joint is unknown but a load-bearing joint like the knee could become problematic at some point down the road. Lions medical will surely dive into what the surgeon found in the operating room. Faulk may also get an MRI at combine medicals.
Cashius Howell, EDGE (age uncertain, 23?) - Texas A&M
Projected round 1. #17 on Daniel Jeremiah board Jan 27.
Concern level 2/10
2025: 13/13 games
2024: 13/13 games
2023 (Bowling Green): 13/13 games
2022 (Bowling Green): 13/13 games
2021 (Bowling Green): 4 games
High school: Missed multiple games with shoulder injury.
Howell is clean medically except for a remote shoulder injury. He has displayed perfect reliability in his last 4 years of college. His suspected slightly older age would be a factor in the 1st round.
His college career was productive with 35.5 TFL and 27 sacks.
Romello Height, EDGE (25) - Texas Tech
Projected round 2-3. #46 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 5/10
2025: 14/14 games
2024 (Georgia Tech): 12/13 games. Missed bowl game presumably due to transfer.
2023 (USC): 12/13 games. Missed 1 game for unspecified reason.
2022 (USC): 2 games. Shoulder surgery ended season.
2021 (Auburn): 9/13 games
2020 (Auburn): 1 game
Like many players these days, Height has bounced around to many colleges in his career. He had a significant shoulder injury but proved himself for 3 seasons afterwards. His career totals include 27 TFL and 16.5 sacks.
His older age and mileage after 6 years of college is a major factor and limits his ceiling. His age/mileage concern is similar to Akheem Mesidor with the difference being that Mesidor is projected to go much earlier.
The 2nd round might be too rich for Height’s concern level, but the risk might be worth it in later rounds. The Lions currently don’t own a 3rd round pick.
For more potential 2nd-round EDGE options for the Lions, click below…