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ESPN still projects injured Florida DL Caleb Banks as first-round pick

79417-removebg-preview (1)by: Corey Bender10/15/25Corey_Bender
Caleb-Banks-Florida-Gators
Florida DL Caleb Banks. (Photo by Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)

Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks has missed nearly all of the 2025 season due to injury, but that hasn’t stopped ESPN’s Jordan Reid from projecting him as a first-round pick in his latest 2026 NFL mock draft.

Reid, who released his midseason mock on Wednesday, has Banks going No. 29 overall to the Dallas Cowboys. Despite Banks’ limited action this fall, Reid still views him as one of the more talented defensive linemen in the country and a potential value pick for a struggling Cowboys defense.

“Banks was viewed as a potential top-15 pick entering the season, but he suffered a foot injury in the preseason that has limited him to one game after he reaggravated it, requiring surgical repair,” Reid wrote for ESPN. “Banks had 4.5 sacks in 2024 and would represent great value for the Cowboys, who are rebuilding a defense that is last in the NFL in yards allowed per game (411.7) and 31st in points allowed per game (30.7).”

Before his injury, Banks was set to anchor Florida’s defensive line and build on a breakout 2024 campaign. Last season, the Louisville transfer posted 21 tackles, including seven for loss, along with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His size, power and ability to disrupt from the interior made him one of the Gators’ most consistent defensive playmakers.

While some early projections had Banks going inside the top 15 before his injury setback, Reid’s latest mock shows there’s still plenty of belief in his upside. If he’s able to return healthy and test well during the pre-draft process, Banks could reestablish himself as one of the premier defensive linemen in the 2026 draft class.

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