The Kansas City Chiefs feature a thin interior defensive line and lose Derrick Nnadi and Jerry Tillery in free agency this coming offseason. That leaves 31-year-old Chris Jones and rookie Omarr Norman-Lott under contract for next year. The Chiefs need to add new defensive tackle talent through the 2026 NFL draft.
Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks is one of the most physically imposing athletes in college football. His height and weight are verified at 6’6 1/8″, 334 lbs., and the power he exerts matches his frame. Banks’ arms are estimated to be longer than 35 inches, putting him in elite territory. The Chiefs need a defensive lineman with his size and disruptive play strength.
Florida DT Caleb Banks will be this year’s breakout star. Dude is listed at 6’6″ over 320lbs, looks and moves like a tight end.
His burst and mobility for a player of his size will make him a top 10 pick in 2026 pic.twitter.com/XasUmP3aYR— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) May 1, 2025
Banks explodes off the line of scrimmage and turns his speed into power on contact. His pad level and limited bend prevent him from producing at a high level as a pass rusher, but the flashes pop off the tape. Banks drives power through his hands and maximizes his arm length and hand placement to lock out linemen before walking them into the pocket.
Banks’ pass rush arsenal includes club-swims, push-pulls, rips and two-handed swipes. His lateral agility allows him to exchange gaps with shocking explosiveness and suddenness for a lineman of his size. He still needs to develop the mental aspect of his pass rush plan to set up blockers on a down-to-down basis.
Banks’ arm length makes it easy for him to stack, peek and shed blocks in the run game. He pries up the offensive lineman’s pad level and generates quick separation, all while blockers can’t even reach his center frame. He is a dominant force at the point of attack.
Banks’s naturally high pad level disrupts his ability to anchor against double teams, but single blockers struggle to contain him.
Banks reportedly recently underwent surgery on the foot injury he suffered against LSU. Head coach Billy Napier announced after the game that Banks would miss significant time with the undisclosed injury. The surgery and Florida’s poor start to the season indicate fans might not see Banks again this year. He could declare for the 2026 NFL draft or use his medical redshirt to return to school.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2026 NFL draft scouting report: Florida Gators DT Caleb Banks
