Mel Kiper Jr. predicts the Denver Broncos will bypass tight end for a top defensive tackle prospect, addressing a significant post-free agency hole.
The Denver Broncos don't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft due to the acquisition of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
That means Denver won't have its first pick in the draft until Day 2, and it will come at No. 62 overall in the back end of the second round.
As the draft approaches, tight end continues to be a common pick in mock drafts, with names such as Eli Stowers and Max Klare linked to Denver.
However, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. had Denver filling another area of need: Defensive tackle.
The departure of John Franklin-Myers, who signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency, means the Broncos need a DT.
And, Kiper has Denver selecting Florida Gators star Caleb Banks.
"Welcome to the draft, Denver! With a pretty deep roster, the Broncos can afford to take a little bit of a risk. Banks' talent is more in line with Round 1, but he is dealing with yet another foot injury, which could keep him on the board until the middle part of Day 2. Banks is a disruptive presence on the interior, and he can stuff the run at 6-6 and 327 pounds," Kiper wrote.
Banks is dealing with another injury, but if it weren't for that, he probably would hear his name called in the first round - and that still feels like a possibility, even if it is a small one.
Kiper did add that tight end is another position of need, although he had Oscar Delp (Georgia) and Stowers (Vanderbilt) going in the second round before Denver is on the clock.
Banks will miss some time, so there is plenty of risk with taking him.
On the other hand, the talent is through the roof when he is healthy, and the Broncos could very well afford to take a gamble and see if things work out in the long run with Banks.
Kiper has Banks at No. 5 on his Big Board at the DT position, and Banks falling this far might be a surprise, although the injury will more than likely scare off a number of teams.
If he is on the board at No. 62, the Broncos might run this card in without even thinking about it, especially if Stowers and some other targets are taken.
This feels like an area the Broncos need to address, so Banks will be a name to watch when the draft begins.