While quarterback and wide receiver will take up most of the oxygen surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers in the months to come, this team is never finished building out the defense. Despite spending a first-round pick on defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in 2025, the Steelers have recently been projected as a landing spot for Florida DT prospect Caleb Banks.
Banks is full of potential. His unique combination of size and athleticism has helped him rise up draft boards recently. But few scouts knew just how much of an athletic anomaly he was.
That is, until the NFL Combine came around. Banks didn't participate in any of the on-field workouts at the Combine, but he didn't need to. Just with his measurements, he solidified himself as one of the top prospects in the class. His fit in Pittsburgh is already starting to come into focus.
NFL Combine standout Caleb Banks would fit right in with the Steelers' defense
NFL scouts often talk about the "Planet Theory." It refers to the idea that, when few people on the planet match up with a player's size and athleticism, that player is usually worth drafting. Banks fits that description perfectly. At the Combine, he measured in at 6'6" and 327 pounds. His near-11-inch hands and 35-inch arms put him near the top of the class as well. Banks is a behemoth. His size is easy to see on film, but the official numbers still drew plenty of attention in Indianapolis.
Banks ran a solid 5.04-second 40-yard dash with a 1.76-second 10-yard split, showcasing his impressive explosiveness. He decided not to participate in on-field drills due to reported discomfort with his cleats. His medical results will be important to note, as he dealt with foot injuries in college. But Banks didn't need to step onto the field to make the Steelers take notice.
The 22-year-old certainly has some room to grow in consistency, if not in stature. He hasn't always been productive at Florida despite his dominant presence. But his potential should be enticing enough for Pittsburgh.
Especially considering Cam Heyward's age, the Steelers could benefit from adding another quality starter to their defensive line. If Pittsburgh drafts Banks, the Florida prospect could develop behind Heyward for a year before taking on more of a full-time role. His physicality and explosiveness would fit well next to the slightly smaller Harmon.
The pair of young defensive tackles could give the Steelers a true strength to build their defense around for years to come. The position may not be their biggest need, but Banks may have just made them strongly consider diverting from expectations.