The Denver Broncos have a once-in-a-generation defense. They want to keep it that way. With a growing roster of stars and their ensuing paydays, the only way they can do that is through the NFL draft.
That’s why, no matter where they pick in 2026, they’ve got to make it count.
In ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock draft, he has the Broncos addressing a very layered need at interior defensive line, projecting 6-foot-6, 330-pound Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks to Denver at No. 30 overall in the first round.
“Injuries limited Banks to three games this past season, but I enjoyed watching his 2024 tape,” Kiper wrote. “He had 4.5 sacks that campaign, getting some good interior push. But his real impact is as a run defender: At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he stuffs ball carriers and makes plays behind the line of scrimmage. This would be a depth addition for Denver. He could learn from Zach Allen and help keep the elite Broncos defense among the league’s best units down the road.”
Incredible Opportunity to Learn in Denver
If Banks is lucky enough to land with the Broncos, it’s hard to imagine a better situation to be in than learning directly from Allen, a 2-time NFL All-Pro, and veteran D.J. Jones, not too mention a cadre of Pro Bowl and NFL All-Pro talent at every level.
Headed into the AFC Championship Game on Sunday against the New England Patriots the Broncos have 71.0 sacks in the regular season and playoffs.
Banks More Potential Than Production Right Now
Banks is a Detroit native who started his college career with 2 seasons at Louisville before transferring to Florida for his final 3 college seasons.
Out of those 5 seasons, he had good film to evaluate from just 2 of them — in 2023 and 2024 — with 2024 being the breakout year with the 4.5 sacks, as Kiper pointed out.
Here’s the thing: Defensive tackles aren’t expected to put up big numbers. If they can, that’s great, but the whole thrust of the position is to create opportunities for other players. Open a gap for a middle linebacker to make a tackle. Collapse the pocket so an edge rusher gets a sack.
“Caleb Banks makes a person second-guess what they’re seeing on film because of how quick and athletic he is for his size,” Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder wrote in his pre-draft scouting report. “The 6’6″, 330-pound defensive lineman has plenty of tools to develop into a well-rounded interior defender in the NFL. Due to a foot injury, Banks played in three games during the 2025 season. As a result, his pre-draft evaluation shifts to the previous year’s tape, which shows raw technique that will require fine-tuning at the next level.”
Fine-tuning comes with great coaching. Want to know something you can’t coach? Being 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds. That requires a much higher power.
“I wish he had another full season of tape, but Caleb Banks is my DT1,” Wide Left’s James Foster wrote on X. “Looked healthy vs. Tennessee & assuming he clears medicals I’d be comfortable taking him top 10. Haven’t seen many college DL with more powerful hands.”
Broncos Predicted to Take 6-foot-6, 330-Pound SEC Star in First Round