STRENGTHS - Faulk's strength combined with when he gets a good first step enables him to move DL off the LOS. Faulk has shown the ability to use his hands well to punch, although he will need to use more consistently. He has the ability to extend his arms quickly off the line enabling him to get leverage on the pass rusher.
WEAKNESSES - Faulk has a tendency to be a waist bender and put his head down, especially when he gets to the 2nd level of the defense causing him to whiff on a block. When he does not get a great jump off the LOS he will struggle as he does not have the ability to react quickly enough. His slow hip turn allows quicker DE to get around and under him He has a tendency to throw his body at the DE/LB instead of using his legs and strength to move them, especially on run blocking where he is not able to re-direct consistently. Faulk has not played since September when he suffered a torn ACL and is still recovering to get back to 100% after surgery to repair the injury.
SUMMARY - Faulk is a tough and strong OL. When he is able to get a good first step he can move the DL off the LOS and his ability to use his hands and extend his arms gives him the ability to maintain pass blocks. He will need to improve on run blocking as he struggles to re-direct guys both off the LOS and when he gets to the 2nd level. His biggest struggle tends to be at the 2nd level and while he can get there quickly he has a tendency to throw his body at them with his head down, making him whiff on blocks much too consistently. He does not show the ability to react well when he is not able to gain leverage due to his slow hips. Faulk suffered a knee injury in his junior season and would have benefited from returning to LSU for his senior season. At this point, Faulk does not have the skill-set and overpowering ability to be a blindside tackle. He has the build and is a solid pass blocker, but will need to become a much more consistent run blocker to become a good all around starting OT in the NFL.