SI projects Florida football DL Caleb Banks as a first-round pick in 2026 NFL mock draft
It is that time of year when it seems like everyone and their mother are releasing their mocks of the 2026 NFL draft — less than a week after the conclusion of the 2025 edition.
Among those casting their dice on an event almost a full calendar year away is Sports Illustrated's Bryan Fischer, whose way-too-early 2026 NFL mock draft included one member of the Orange and Blue. That player is defensive lineman Caleb Banks, who spent his first two collegiate seasons with the Louisville Cardinals before transferring to Gainesville for the past pair of campaigns.
Funny enough, Fischer projects Banks to be selected with the 17th pick by the Arizona Cardinals next April.
"Banks flashed down the stretch last season and with some further polish could turn into a realistic option in the first round, given his size and excellent quickness," he notes. "Pairing him alongside Walter Nolen III could form quite the tandem for the Cardinals."
Caleb Banks' 2024 stats with Florida
The 6-foot-6-inch, 329-pound rising redshirt senior out of Detroit, Michigan, played in 12 games — making 10 starts — in 2024, recording 21 total tackles, 10 of which were solo. That includes seven tackles for a loss (4.5 as sacks) along with two forced fumbles and a recovered fumble, giving him a 73.0 overall grade on defense, according to PFF.
Banks's efforts also earned him the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week award after Florida's Week 13 win over the Ole Miss Rebels. Off the field, he was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll in both his seasons as a Gator.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Why 49ers top draft pick has already impressed his new coach
The 49ers are banking upon a defensive talent infusion from the 2025 NFL draft. San Francisco used all five of its first 2025 NFL draft picks on the defensive side of the football, including its first-round selection at No. 11 overall on Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams. Williams tallied 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery across 40 games in three seasons with the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-5, 267-pound defensive end started 17 games during his Georgia career. Now, Williams is tasked with fortifying the 49ers' defensive edge and its pass rush. On Thursday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if Williams is pretty well advanced for a rookie. "Yeah, I would say so. Just watching the style of how he played in college, he's just technical and stuff. I thought that jumped out on his tape the most, how good he is with his hands. A lot of pass rushers coming out of college who are talented like him and just use their talent, but he's as good with his hands as anyone I've seen coming out. And it's transferred over to practice too," Shanahan said. San Francisco is getting a good early look at Williams with some of its one-on-one pass rushing drills. Shanahan shared what the staff can glean from its one-one-one pass rushing drills during training camp. "The same as all one-on-ones, just it's able to isolate it. You can really see how a guy blocks with no help around him and you can really see how a guy's just teeing off and all he has to worry about is going to the quarterback. "Then you get out there on 11-on-11 and there's a lot more scheme involved, there's a lot more other guys, knowing what play's happening and there's so much that goes into it. But you get a situation where you can just truly focus on blocking and rushing and that's the hardest time to do it for a blocker and the best time for a pass rusher. And same with one-on-ones for receivers/corners, should be the best time for a receiver and the toughest for a corner without a pass rush, but it truly can show what guys are capable of doing in their total level of talent," Shanahan said. Williams has been impressing early during his time in San Francisco. The former Georgia Bulldog has garnered some first-team work opposite five-time Pro Bowler Nick Bosa. Williams has already drawn praise from future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams, which is another positive sign as his rookie season approaches.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Kyle Juszczyk enjoyed 49ers' first padded practice after ‘craving physicality'
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk speaks to reporters after first padded practice of 2025 NFL training camp. Kyle Juszczyk enjoyed 49ers' first padded practice after 'craving physicality' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Herbert: 'Everyone loves to play' for Harbaugh
Dan Patrick talks to Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert about his relationship with head coach Jim Harbaugh, AFC West rivals, and the plans for next season's offense.
