2026 NFL Draft Profile: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Pros:

• Massive Frame, Unmovable Anchor: This guy is a behemoth at 6’6″, 330 lbs, and he uses every inch and pound. Offensive linemen just can’t budge him once he plants his feet and holds his ground.
• Surprising First-Step Burst: Don’t let the size fool you; Banks explodes off the snap like he’s 40 pounds lighter. He’s got that instant penetration that can blow up plays.
• Versatile Defensive Chess Piece: Florida used him all over the line, from nose tackle to wide-9. That flexibility means he’s a defensive coordinator’s dream, able to plug into any scheme.
• Pounding Power & Heavy Hands: His initial punch is brutal, stunning blockers and creating immediate separation. He’s got that natural power to collapse the pocket with a bull rush, forcing double teams and freeing up other pass rushers.
•  Relentless Motor: For a big guy, he never quits! He’s always hustling, chasing down plays, and pursuing from the backside, which is seriously impressive for an interior lineman.
• Senior Bowl Standout: He really showed out at the Senior Bowl, dominating one-on-one pass-rushing reps, bagging a sack in team drills, and proving his run-stopping ability.
•  Developing Pass-Rush Arsenal: His step-fake and slap combo is already creating real pressure. Once he fine-tunes his counter moves, those sacks are gonna pile up at the next level.

Cons:

• Inconsistent Pad Level: He tends to pop upright, especially when he’s tired. This gives up the leverage he should have with his size, making him vulnerable to being driven back.
• Limited Pass-Rush Moves: His counter moves aren’t quite there yet. If his initial rush doesn’t work, he often gets stuck, needing to develop a more diverse plan to beat blockers consistently.
•  Tackling Technique Needs Polish: He’s prone to arm tackles and takes poor angles, which explains why his tackling stats didn’t always reflect his physical talent in college. This will definitely be a focus for NFL coaches.
•  Flashes of Inconsistency: Despite all his natural ability, his production has been a bit hit-or-miss. He can disappear for stretches, and his sack numbers haven’t always matched the potential his imposing size suggests.
• Slow to Process Complex Plays: Misdirection and screen passes can sometimes throw him off. He occasionally struggles with maintaining gap integrity when offenses hit him with more intricate blocking schemes.

Summary:

Caleb Banks is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward prospect, a true “boom or bust” talent. Drafting him is a clear bet on his immense ceiling rather than a safe floor, and that’s a gamble with significant upside. His performance at the Senior Bowl, where he showed a real aptitude for taking coaching and adapting on the fly, combined with his relentless motor and work ethic, suggests he’s poised for continued growth.

In the best-case scenario, Banks refines his raw physical gifts with polished technique, transforming into a dominant, game-wrecking interior lineman who consistently collapses pockets and draws double teams. The bust scenario, however, sees his technical flaws—like his pad level and underdeveloped counter moves—persist, leaving a tantalizingly athletic but ultimately inconsistent player. If he can leverage another offseason for focused technical refinement, Banks has the physical foundation to evolve into a legitimate interior disruptor who demands attention on every passing down. The talent is undeniable, but so is the inherent risk.