The NFL Scouting Combine seems like a flurry of action from the outside, but the inner workings can be even more so for players, coaches, and members of front offices. On top of what is happening on the field, teams are meeting with players and getting some of their first-ever exposure to each other.
The Cincinnati Bengals have a great example of this, as they were apparently the 22nd team set to meet with Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks at the Combine.
Banks was a very dominant presence at the
Senior Bowl this year. It surely helped his stock after his Senior season was less than consistent with nagging lower leg injuries. He has absolutely shown he knows how to get to the quarterback. The two big questions will be if he can do it at the NFL level and if he can do it while remaining healthy.
The Florida product has started to receive some first round buzz, but it certainly would be considered quite the reach at No. 10 overall. We have, however, seen players fall like this with certain injury issues. And who knows, maybe the Bengals are eyeing guys in case they opt to trade back.
At the end of the day, Banks is a freak-like prospect at 6’6 and 330 pounds with the athleticism some edge players would kill for. The big thing will be nailing down consistency concerns and how healthy he can stay during his career.
