Potential Texans draft target Caleb Banks gets promising prognosis on health before NFL draft

The Houston Texans have been linked to Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks throughout the draft process, but some believe he wouldn't be in play on Day 2 because of his injury history.

Now, the recent report coming from ESPN could have one of the potential draft day steals back in play in Round 2 or perhaps even Round 1.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, NFL teams received a letter Wednesday about the progress of the former Gators star as he continues to recover from the repaired bone in his foot. Per Schefter, the letter states that Banks underwent a CT scan on Tuesday and is "on pace to be fully cleared for full football activities" by early June.

Banks, who was once considered a top 10 prospect, dealt with multiple injuries over his final two years of college and while leading up to the draft. After a strong showing at the Senior Bowl in January that helped boost his draft stock, the defensive tackle suffered a broken bone in his foot at the NFL scouting combine in February. Last season with the Gators, Banks was limited to just three games because of an injury to the same foot.

The Texans need help long-term at defensive tackle. Even after the signing of Sheldon Rankins, Houston remains weak at the interior beyond 2026. The Texans also let Tim Settle walk in free agency and cut Mario Edwards Jr. as part of a cap-cutting decision.

Banks, who on paper should be a three-down standout run defender, could be the right move to target in Round 2 should he fall to one of Houston's two picks. Before the injury, the 6-foot-6 bull-rusher proved to be a dominant interior player in the SEC, totaling seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2024.