Banks ended his year with 3.5 sacks in two games
Looking ahead to 2026, it’s possible that the New York Giants could still need to upgrade their defensive line. While they should expect Dexter Lawrence and Darius Alexander to be the core of their interior defensive line, they could find themselves asking “but who else?”
We don’t yet know where the Giants will finish, nor how the draft board will ultimately shake out. There should, however, once again be several talented defensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks has an intriguing blend of traits and skills that could be very attractive to the Giants.
(Banks is the Florida defensive tackle wearing number 88 and two white sleeves)
What he does well
Banks is a big, long, and athletic defensive tackle who’s traits both make him a threat to the defense and a versatile piece for a defense. He measures an (estimated) 6-foot-6, 325 pounds and appears to have long arms. Banks carries his weight very well and is a surprisingly good athlete for a big lineman.
Banks size and strength allowed Florida to play him as an A-gap defender at 0 or 1-technique, while his athleticism let them play him as a B-gap defender at the 3, 4i, or 5-technique.
He features very good initial quickness as well as good agility and change of direction skills. Banks does a good job of timing the snap and has an explosive first step, which often allows him to be one of the very first players moving on either team. He has solid lower body flexibility and plays with good initial leverage, allowing him to get under blockers’ pads and maximize his play strength. At the same time, he has solid hand usage and is able to win with speed and technique. That allows Banks to attack blockers in differing ways and mix primary and counter moves.
Banks’ play strength and athleticism also allow him to be an effective run defender. He can either hold up blockers and allow linebackers to flow to the ball or attack gaps and disrupt behind the line of scrimmage.
He does a good job of using his length to his advantage and has a good feel for when to attack blockers’ bodies or hand fight to keep from getting engaged. His quickness and change of direction also allow him to disengage and be a factor in pursuit.
What he needs to improve
Banks has a very solid foundation thanks to his traits and technique, but there’s still room for growth.
To start, Banks needs to be more consistent with his leverage. There are a few too many plays where he pops upright after his second or third step, compromising his play strength. He can have a tendency to simply bounce off blockers rather than run through them if he plays upright.
He can also be a bit less predictable in his use of pass rush moves. He tends to rely on his bull rush, with an arm-over (swim) move as his default counter move. Banks can have a tendency to get hung up on blockers when they’re ready for his initial rush. Combined with his slight tendency to get upright, that means he can’t rely on his power if his speed is accounted for.
It’s notable that he only has 4.5 sacks, most of which came in two games at the end of the year. He has a number of near-misses on his tape and he needs to improve how he finishes his rushes. Some of that isn’t Banks’ fault — he’s quick and agile for a 325-pound man, but he still can’t keep up with athletic ball carriers in the backfield. But improving his leverage consistency and expanding his pass rush variety should help turn those pressures into sacks.
Final thoughts
Florida finished the 2024 season far stronger than they started, and Banks improvement over the course of the year was a pretty big factor in that.
UF quarterback D.J. Lagway is going to be a big reason why people tune in to watch Gators. That, however, will put more eyes on Banks, which should only help his draft stock. As he is now, Banks could be a reasonably high pick, and could even be a first rounder based on his traits and upside.
That could set the stage for Banks to rocket up draft boards if he’s able to raise his game and do a better job of finishing his rushes. Banks bares a resemblance to Muhammad Wilkerson, and 30th overall could be Banks’ floor if he realizes his potential.
