Former Florida football defensive tackle Caleb Banks was taken by the Baltimore Ravens as pick number 18 overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
A transfer from Louisville, Banks enjoyed a breakout 2024 season for the Florida Gators that included 7 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He was limited to just three games in 2025 due to a broken foot but returned to play the final two games of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery.
Banks re-broke his foot during the 2026 NFL Combine in Indianapolis but expects to be fully healed in June, before the start of NFL fall camps. Given the injury concerns, it was a surprise pick. Banks visited the Ravens in March before UF's Pro Day.
Banks said during UF's Pro Day he intends to make an impact in the NFL wherever he lands.
“Somebody who is gonna go out there and dominate every single play," Banks said. "Give it his all. Go in there, work, put his head down and do what he's got to do. Be a sponge, and hang around the vets and mean, pick up everything that I can so I can be productive. So that we can go win a Super Bowl.”
Banks is the first Florida player to go in the first round since wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who went 30th overall to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here's a look at what Banks can bring to the Ravens:
6.37 per NFL.com, will eventually be plus NFL starter.
In three seasons at Florida, Banks recorded 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 pass breakup and 1 block.
According to NFL.com: Big-framed, long-limbed interior defender whose play needs more polish to consistently match his traits. Banks has a quick first step. He can stun/control single blocks when his hand strikes are timely and accurate, but he needs faster disengagement to increase his tackle count. His high center of gravity allows double teams to generate displacement, so a move to odd-front end could be in his best interest as a run defender. Like a grappler without submission knowledge, Banks is still learning to unlock his physical advantages so he can turn them into sacks. His traits and flashes at the Senior Bowl make him an enticing prospect, but injury concerns are a potential stumbling block for him.
Banks attended Southfield A&T High School in Detroit, Michigan.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun's Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Caleb Banks draft: Baltimore Ravens pick Florida football DT in NFL draft first round