Mel Kiper mock draft: Denver Broncos pick DT Caleb Banks

The Denver Broncos season isn’t yet over, but for 28 other teams it is officially mock draft season. Mel Kiper has a new mock draft out and we might as well cover it, even though we have a real game coming up. He has the Broncos drafting a defensive tackle late in the first round.

30. Denver Broncos

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

Injuries limited Banks to three games this past season, but I enjoyed watching his 2024
tape. He had 4.5 sacks that campaign, getting some good interior push. But his real impact
is as a run defender: At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he stuffs ball carriers and makes plays
behind the line of scrimmage. This would be a depth addition for Denver. He could learn
from Zach Allen and help keep the elite Broncos defense among the league’s best units
down the road.

Caleb Banks is a 6-6, 330 pound monster in the middle. He would bring some solid depth and eventual starter quality play for the Broncos stacked interior defensive line.

Frankly, I don’t think this is the route Denver should go. They already have a 6-6, 320 pound monster in Eyioma Uwazurike in the middle. He has seen a lot more snaps down the stretch in 2025 with an injury to John Franklin-Myers, which could be a sign he is on the rise. With JFM likely departing in free agency, drafting Banks would keep the rotation strong and I am all for that, but I just feel like the offensive side of the ball needs some attention in this draft.

The part of this mock draft that I kept thinking about wasn’t the pick, but the draft order. Mel Kiper apparently think the Broncos also have no shot at beating the New England Patriots. Here’s to his mock draft order being ruined by Sunday afternoon.

If the pick is Caleb Banks, what are your thoughts on the prospect? Share in the comments section below.