10 hours ago, AZ54 said:

I've posted this multiple times but in one of his early press conferences with Bears media Dennis Allen said "pass rush does not come from the edge, it comes up the middle." That indicates we need one of the best pass rushing DTs in this draft and that he prefers pocket containment with his edges. The top 2 interior pass rushers are Peter Woods (going off reports of his 2024 tape where he played more 3-tech) and maybe the best upside interior rusher is Caleb Banks. Banks is getting no attention from Bears fans and media which is eerily similar to Loveland last year. Yet the team showed they were willing to be patient while Loveland rehabbed even early into the season because they wanted the upside. Perhaps we should be keeping that in mind. Banks reportedly will be ready around the Jun time frame so he'll miss some of the summer camp stuff (as did Loveland).

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2026/01/15/caleb-banks-scouting-report-nfl-draft

"Pass-Rush Upside: When scouting Banks, his first-step quickness and overall athleticism show clear upside as a pass rusher. He gets off the ball quickly and works upfield to beat offensive linemen to the quarterback. Even when he does not reach the quarterback, his length remains disruptive, as passers can feel and see his presence. With proper development, Banks can become an impactful interior pass rusher at the NFL level."

I just don’t think this is a good “smaller, pass-rushing DT” draft if that really is what we’re looking for. While Banks and Wood’s seem to have some of the tools, neither has really done it well at the collegiate level. The next wave are more NT run defense types (McDonald, Hunter, Miller). There are maybe a couple more middle round guys who fit the bill (Halton, Durant, maybe Proctor) but really think that’s why we saw the Bears get a bunch of guys who fit the mold they are looking for in free agency (Gallimore, Street, Lynch) and maybe they don’t even go DT in the draft, see what these guys do, and reassess next year.

I agree with all of that.

11 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Banks is getting no attention from Bears fans and media which is eerily similar to Loveland last year. Yet the team showed they were willing to be patient while Loveland rehabbed even early into the season because they wanted the upside. Perhaps we should be keeping that in mind. Banks reportedly will be ready around the Jun time frame so he'll miss some of the summer camp stuff (as did Loveland).

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2026/01/15/caleb-banks-scouting-report-nfl-draft

"Pass-Rush Upside: When scouting Banks, his first-step quickness and overall athleticism show clear upside as a pass rusher. He gets off the ball quickly and works upfield to beat offensive linemen to the quarterback. Even when he does not reach the quarterback, his length remains disruptive, as passers can feel and see his presence. With proper development, Banks can become an impactful interior pass rusher at the NFL level."

Fans know about Banks. This particular one shared a video of him with you, claiming he was a Chris Jones clone. If his pro day goes well, I believe he'll climb in the draft. If he's out of shape, he may fall to us.

3 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

  12 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Banks is getting no attention from Bears fans and media which is eerily similar to Loveland last year. Yet the team showed they were willing to be patient while Loveland rehabbed even early into the season because they wanted the upside. Perhaps we should be keeping that in mind. Banks reportedly will be ready around the Jun time frame so he'll miss some of the summer camp stuff (as did Loveland).

Fans know about Banks. This particular one shared a video of him with you, claiming he was a Chris Jones clone. If his pro day goes well, I believe he'll climb in the draft. If he's out of shape, he may fall to us.

1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

Fans know about Banks. This particular one shared a video of him with you, claiming he was a Chris Jones clone. If his pro day goes well, I believe he'll climb in the draft. If he's out of shape, he may fall to us.

I remember your post and share similar thoughts on that comparison but you fall under the singular "fan" and not the generic blogosphere and podcast world of "fans" I intended to refer to.

Stinger... Caleb Banks is not a clone of Dexter by any means. He has a very quick lateral step and can work to the edges of blocks or between blocks (i.e. double team) far better. On top of that he's incredibly strong. In all the years of watching draft analysis I can recall two players who can ragdoll Olinemen to the ground: Jalen Carter and Caleb Banks. I think the pad level issue is being over done and it's not an every down issue. Besides that every lineman that is 6'6" tall will have the same issue. For comparison this was the weakness of Chris Jones ten years ago:

"Weaknesses

Will lock­out his long legs on too many snaps. Upright play style limits his leverage and balance against down­ blocks. Motor will run out of gas if he's forced to chase after play for very long. Average ball instincts. Change of direction can be inconsistent due to pad level. Flashes pass rush talent, but too content to lay on blockers when early rush fizzles."

This analysis is using 2024 film.

When young players are so dominant, they don't have to work as hard on technique to win. Just like Jones and Carter, Banks should ascend after playing against real men.