The Chicago Bears definitely need some help along the interior of their defensive line. Grady Jarrett was a massive disappointment during his debut campaign in Chicago, and Gervon Dexter could be on the move via trade.
The Bears’ defense as a whole was problematic this past season, finishing 29th in the NFL. With Chicago knocking on the door in the NFC thanks much in part to an explosive offense, it’s time general manager Ryan Poles did what was necessary to fix things on the other side of the ball.
Unfortunately, the Bears have a complicated financial situation, so they probably won’t be able to spend a ton of money in free agency. That means they will likely have to rely on the NFL Draft to fill their most prominent holes.
On that note, Anthony Miller of Bear Goggles On has identified a potential solution for Chicago up the middle: Florida Gators star Caleb Banks.
Chicago Bears predicted to draft Caleb Banks
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks (DL02) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In a three-round mock draft, Miller predicted the Bears to select Banks with the 25th overall pick, even after the mammoth 6-foot-6, 330-pound defender cut his Scouting Combine workout short due to uncomfortable cleats.
“Banks demonstrated his athletic abilities at Florida, but a foot injury cost him all but three games last season. He tested well at the NFL Combine as he had the second-longest broad jump with 9’6″,” Miller wrote. “Chicago needs help at defensive tackle with Grady Jarrett underperforming horribly in 2025, and Dexter might now be traded. Banks easily comes in as a Day 1 starter that [Dennis] Allen can develop into a great starter for the next few years.”
Banks is definitely an intriguing player and is probably one of the most classic examples of a boom-or-bust prospect.
The 22-year-old spent his first two collegiate campaigns at Louisville before transferring to Florida in 2023. His sample size of production is rather small, with the vast majority of it coming in 2024 when he registered 21 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
The fact that Banks underwent foot surgery this past season is certainly concerning, especially for a man of his size.
That being said, there is no doubt that Banks’ potential is tantalizing, and the Bears could potentially land a star if they take him in the first round this April.
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