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Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks is a highly talented prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft but has faced injury challenges. He is ranked as the 4th-best defensive tackle by Dane Brugler, with a projected selection in the second or third round.
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Caleb Banks #88 of the Florida Gators celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Florida State Seminoles during the second quarter of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One prospect the Denver Broncos have shown some interest in and may select in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft is Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. He is a 6-6, 327-pound defensive tackle who is highly talented but comes with some injury questions. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Caleb Banks ranked as his 4th-best defensive tackle in this draft, graded as his 52nd overall player, and gives him a 2nd-3rd-round grade.
Banks started his career at Louisville before transferring to Florida, where he became a standout player for the Gators. During his three seasons at Florida, Banks appeared in 27 games, which included 24 starts; he totaled 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. He only appeared in 3 games this past season and totaled 6 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.
He dealt with a foot injury that derailed his 2025 season and limited him to just 3 games, and seemed to have that behind him after having a standout Senior Bowl performance. However, he would break his foot at the Combine, but still worked out with it and performed fairly well, all things considered. However, this new injury will reportedly sideline him until June.
The Denver Broncos have one of the best defensive front sevens in the NFL currently and have led the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons. However, their defense took a hit this offseason when interior pass rusher left via free agency and signed with the Titans. Currently, the team has not replaced him with anyone new, but does have 2025 third-round pick Sai’vion Jones ready and waiting after having a year of development. Could they roll the dice and select a high-upside player like Caleb Banks despite the medical risks and add to their defensive line room?
Caleb Banks has dealt with a foot injury that limited him to just 3 games in the 2025 season and he broke his foot at the Combine, which will sideline him until June.
Caleb Banks started his college career at Louisville before transferring to Florida, where he became a standout player.
During his three seasons at Florida, Banks recorded 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, and 5.5 sacks across 27 games.
The Denver Broncos have shown interest in Caleb Banks and may select him in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Caleb Banks | Defensive Line | Florida
Strengths
Weaknesses
The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on Florida DT Caleb Banks
Banks is a towering athlete with the fluid athleticism and unique physical traits to be impactful against the pass and the run. He is long and strong enough to claim early wins when he stays disciplined in his initial attack. But his taller stature can zap his power and take him out of plays, as he allows blockers to out-leverage him and stay attached. He leaves too much production on the field, although his tackling should improve with better conditioning. Banks has a rare combination of size, raw power and big-man twitch, all of which lead to big-time flashes and glimpses of his ceiling. However, the absence of a healthy senior season complicates his projection, and his draft grade will depend on each team’s appetite for risk.
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Florida DT Caleb Banks
Big-framed, long-limbed interior defender whose play needs more polish to consistently match his traits. Banks has a quick first step. He can stun/control single blocks when his hand strikes are timely and accurate, but he needs faster disengagement to increase his tackle count. His high center of gravity allows double teams to generate displacement, so a move to odd-front end could be in his best interest as a run defender. Like a grappler without submission knowledge, Banks is still learning to unlock his physical advantages so he can turn them into sacks. His traits and flashes at the Senior Bowl make him an enticing prospect, but injury concerns are a potential stumbling block for him.
It all depends on the medicals. The Broncos brought him in for a pre-draft top 30 visit and most likely had him evaluated by their doctors. If they feel comfortable with his foot, this could be an absolute steal; however, if they have questions, he may not even be on their board.
Banks is the classic case of having all the traits you cannot teach (size, length, strength, and athleticism) but never putting it all together in college. His overall production is not great, but those flashes of brilliance, paired with the traits, keep you intrigued.
He dominated at the Senior Bowl and tested well at the Combine despite the broken foot, but the medical risks and boom/bust traits are a major concern.
Overall, Banks is very boom/bust. You love the traits, and he has the potential to be a Chris Jones-like player in the middle of your defense. However, the inconsistent play, lack of production, and injuries could give you a dud. The Broncos are in a good position to take a risk on a player like Banks if available, but their recent draft history tells us they will probably go in another direction.