In a new mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts use their first pick on a player who should be gone by the first round if not for injury concerns.
The Indianapolis Colts stand four weeks from the 2026 NFL Draft, with some holes still to fill and some areas where youth is desperately needed.
The Colts are, of course, without their first-round pick this year and next year as a result of their trade with the New York Jets last season for cornerback Sauce Gardner. This year, it's the 16th-overall selection.
In ESPN NFL draft analyst Field Yates' most recent two-round mock draft, he gave the Jets USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. Things get started for the Colts in Round 2, with the 47th overall pick, where Yates gives Indy Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
"Could Banks be long gone before this? It's possible, but Banks recently underwent a foot procedure and was limited to just three games in 2025," Yates wrote. "He's 6-6 and 327 pounds and has 35-inch arms to give him pass-rushing upside. With 32-year-old DeForest Buckner returning from a neck injury, the Colts need youth at defensive tackle."
For what he is on the field alone, Banks should go in the first round. The way he moves at 6'6" and 327 pounds is rare. He's quicker than he ought to be and as strong as you would imagine him to be. However, there are injury concerns.
Jan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; American defensive tackle Caleb Banks (88) of Florida works in a drill during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn ImagesA foot injury kept him out of all but three games in 2025, and although he participated in the Senior Bowl in January, he suffered a new foot injury during the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
Banks looked great in Mobile, AL, at the Senior Bowl and at Lucas Oil Stadium during his workout at the Combine, but this latest injury is now projected to keep him out until June.
When a player of his size suffers multiple foot injuries in under a year, there is rightfully cause for concern, which makes Banks' medical checks with teams of utmost importance.
Regardless of the risk, it is a tough choice for the Colts to make. As Yates mentioned, three-tech defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will be 32 this year, as will be fellow starting one-tech Grover Stewart. The pair have been among the league's best interior tandems for years now, but time catches up to everyone.
Buckner, for example, has spent three stints on Injured Reserve over the last two years, missing 12 games due to ankle and neck injuries. His neck injury in 2025 required a procedure.
The only natural backup for Stewart is veteran Derrick Nnadi and second-year player Tim Smith. Nnadi is on a one-year, veteran-minimum deal, while Smith spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad.
Banks would come in and offer versatility on the Colts' interior, with the athleticism of a three-tech and the size of a one-tech.
From 2022-24, before his injury-ravaged 2025 season, Banks improved his production each year, culminating in a 4.5-sack season with 7.0 tackles for loss in 2024, along with a pair of forced fumbles and a recovery. Any team that selects him would be counting on his continued ascension.
The draft will take place from Thurs., April 23, to Sat., April 25, with Round 1 taking place on Day 1, Rounds 2-3 on Day 2, and Rounds 4-7 on Day 3.