Detroit Lions Host Top Defensive Line Prospect for Pre-Draft Visit

The team is eyeing Florida DT Caleb Banks as they look to bolster their defensive front.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:35pm

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The Detroit Lions are hosting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks for a top-30 pre-draft visit as they look to add help on the defensive line. The team has lost several contributors on the defensive side this offseason, and Banks has emerged as an intriguing prospect with his size and potential.

Why it matters

The Lions have made it clear that improving the defensive line is a priority this offseason, and a top-30 visit with Banks suggests they see him as a potential solution. The team has built its roster by controlling the line of scrimmage, and the defensive front appears to be the next area of focus as they look to reinforce the roster ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The details

At 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds, Banks brings the kind of size and physical presence that the Lions have traditionally valued up front. He broke out in 2024 with 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss, but his momentum slowed in 2025 when injuries limited him to just three games. Despite the setback, Banks remains a high-upside prospect with untapped potential, making him an ideal candidate for a team like the Lions that is willing to invest in development.

  • The Lions are hosting Caleb Banks for a top-30 pre-draft visit ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Caleb Banks

A defensive tackle prospect from the University of Florida who has emerged as an intriguing option for the Detroit Lions in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Detroit Lions

An NFL team based in Detroit, Michigan that is looking to bolster its defensive line through the upcoming draft.

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What’s next

If the visit with Caleb Banks goes well, the Lions could consider selecting him in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft as they look to bolster their defensive line.

The takeaway

The Detroit Lions are clearly prioritizing the defensive line in their offseason roster-building, and their interest in Caleb Banks suggests they see him as a potential solution to help offset the departures they've seen on that side of the ball. Banks' size, upside, and fit with the team's traditional preferences make him an intriguing prospect worth keeping an eye on as the draft approaches.