The college all-star showcases wrapped up with the Senior Bowl this weekend, and the 2026 NFL Draft class is rounding into shape.
With fresh takeaways from Mobile, Alabama, CBS Sports draft analyst Ryan Wilson authored a first-round mock draft on Sunday. It featured the Kansas City Chiefs selecting one of the biggest risers from the Senior Bowl.
Round 1 — Pick 9
Caleb Banks, Defensive Line
Florida — Senior — 6’5” / 330 lbs
At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds with 35-inch arms, Banks is surprisingly explosive
for his size, playing with power, juice and a nonstop motor. A foot injury sidelined him for parts of the 2025 season, but he took part in all three Senior Bowl practices and was pretty much unblockable on every rep. If he’s fully healthy, he has top-10 ability.
My analysis
Banks is a talented player and would be a great addition to the Chiefs’ defensive line, but taking him at the ninth overall selection would be far too high, especially when there is a chance that he could still be around when the Chiefs pick in the second round with the 40th overall selection.
This draft cycle’s defensive line class is deep, and the Chiefs could have better options or more important needs to address with the ninth selection.
If the top-tier edge rushers are gone, and the Chiefs do not like what is available at wide receiver, the front office should look to the defensive interior.
That said, if players like Lee Hunter from Texas Tech or Kayden McDonald from Ohio State are available, those would be better answers for Kansas City.
Banks is a great talent, but a broken foot last season raises medical concerns, and he does have a few inconsistencies in his profile.
Player evaluation
Caleb Banks — measuring at 6 feet 6 inches tall and 335 pounds with 35-inch arms at the Senior Bowl — is a good penetrator and can make an immediate impact with his ability to explode off the line of scrimmage and create havoc in the backfield.
The Chiefs require a player who can get into the backfield quickly, and while Banks needs to work on his ability to finish plays, he has the tools and potential to develop nicely in the NFL.
Kansas City did not have anyone on the defensive line last season capable of winning snaps quickly once defensive tackle Chris Jones was double-teamed, and the four-man pass rush suffered because of it.
Banks can help with this, but he is not an every-down defensive tackle, and has things to work on in regards to finishing plays, pad level or playing disciplined football.
The ninth pick is a reach for Banks — and the Chiefs should be looking at edge and wide receiver first— but if they have the chance to take him at 40, or a chance to trade back into the first round, it would be the right opportunity to take Banks.
His game needs refinement, but there is a lot of potential in the 22-year old.
