As a result of the Kansas City Chiefs’ blockbuster trade that sent All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, the team has the 29th-overall pick in this year’s draft to go along with pick No. 9.
The back end of the first round could be a worthwhile spot to invest in the defensive line.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the Chiefs used a “Top-30 visit” to meet with defensive tackle Caleb Banks from the University of Florida.
Banks impressed in flashes during his time in Gainesville, but missed nine games in 2025 due to injuries. Those concerns reappeared after the news of Banks’ meeting with the Chiefs; according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, Banks suffered a broken foot the night before his on-field workout at the NFL Scouting Combine last month.
For many prospects, these injury concerns would cause them to fall in the draft, but Banks possesses a rare combination of strength and quickness that could still leave him as an option at the 29th overall pick.
What is a top-30 visit?
NFL teams are allowed to bring in up to 30 players for “top-30 visits”. It’s essentially a way for teams to get to know a player better. To toss some game film at them and see how they process it, and to give the team doctors a chance to take a look at any lingering questions regarding past or present injuries.
Players from schools within a 50-mile radius of the team facilities do not count against top-30 visits. It’s important to note that on-field work is strictly prohibited during these visits. Players can tour facilities and locker rooms, but that’s it.
Background
Banks started his college career at Louisville, experiencing little playing time before transferring to Florida after the 2022 season.
In three seasons with the Gators, Banks recorded 5.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. While his numbers were not otherworldly, he was able to impress scouts with his super physical stature that was on display at the combine.
At 6 feet 6 inches tall and 327 pounds, Banks is a massive player; he boasts 35-inch arms and nearly 11-inch hands that cement his superior size and length, which make him a potential high-level pass rusher in the NFL.
Banks also showed off the needed explosion to play professionally in the defensive trenches, highlighted by his ridiculous 32-inch vertical and broad jump of 9 feet 6 inches.
If the Chiefs’ medical staff clears him, he has all the traits that a team is looking for in a big-time defensive tackle prospect.
Film evaluation
With his size and strength, Banks is a hard player to control one-on-one, and his ability to create penetration in the backfield creates plays for him and his teammates.
Banks is tremendously quick off the snap, and although he does need to continue to work to finish plays, his ability to blow up blocks creates havoc in the backfield.
He has a good arsenal of moves to beat blockers quickly off the snap, including swims, rips, and straight power.
His career production was not tremendous, but his impact often went beyond the box score.
One of the more valuable aspects of his game was the ability to play any position along the defensive interior. He can line up deep inside as a 1-technique or even a head-up nose due to his size, but has the length and size to slide out to his natural position — the 3-technique — or even slide into a 4i-technique (just inside offensive tackles).
Under a defensive coordinator like Steve Spagnuolo, it is even possible that he could line up outside over offensive tackles on passing downs, similar to how All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones has been used throughout his career.
On the field, Banks is a tremendous penetrator and play creator, but his fundamentals and discipline can lack at times.
In the run game, there are multiple instances where his inability to play gap sound defense hurt Florida’s defense and allowed offenses to create big plays.
He has issues with pad level at times, and there are times when he has gone dormant for long periods of time.
These will be things that he has to work through, and the team that drafts him will have to coach him on, but when he is at his best, it would be harder to find a more impactful defender in college football than he was during his time at Florida.
Banks is not a perfect prospect, but the risk is worth the reward.
The bottom line
Banks is as talented as they come, but his game does come with some red tape.
Missing most of the 2025 season, and going through surgery to repair a recently broken foot that will sideline him until June, will be the largest factor that pushes him out of being an early selection on Day 1.
For Kansas City, Banks was never a great value to be selected with the ninth-overall pick, but now that they have a second pick in the back half of the first, Banks is still in play.
Banks would have likely been long gone by the time the 40th pick rolled around, but the 29th pick is the sweet spot for a player of his prowess.
Under the tutelage of Spagnuolo, defensive line coach Joe Cullen, and the great Chris Jones, Banks would have a chance to learn from the best and hone in on his fundamentals.
The benefit of having two first-round selections is being able to take a chance on one of them, and this is a luxury the Chiefs have.
