The Pittsburgh Steelers are like every other team when it comes to the NFL Draft process—they have certain things they covet at particular positions. On the interior defensive line, the Steelers have always valued big, long defenders who can play 5-technique, and '4i' in Pittsburgh's base 3-4 defense while having the versatility to stay on the field in nickel.
Now they might have just found a player who will have them salivating from now until the April's draft.
On Thursday, one day after speaking to the media, the defensive lineman and linebackers weighed in at the 2026 NFL Combine. Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks drew everyone's attention with the most prototype-like weigh-in numbers imaginable for an interior defender.
NFL Network's draft expert, Daniel Jeremiah, posted that Banks measured in at 6'6 1/4'' and 327 pounds with 10 7/8'' hands, 35'' arms, and a remarkable 85 3/4'' wingspan. Jeremiah's post quickly went viral, as fans and draft analysts alike gushed over these numbers.
The Steelers don't have an enormous need at defensive tackle, but Banks is a DL prospect with an outrageously high ceiling, and these weigh-in numbers only helped his case.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could fall in love with Florida DL Caleb Banks after elite NFL Combine weigh-in
To get a sense of just how impressive Bank's frame is, let's add some perspective with names familiar to Steelers fans.
Entering the 2011 NFL Draft, Cameron Heyward measured in at 6'4 1/2'' and 294 pounds with 34 1/2'' arms and 10 1/8'' hands, per DraftScout.com. In 2014, Stephon Tuitt—who was praised for having prototype DL traits at the time—measured in at 6'5 1/2'' and 304 pounds with 34'' arms, 10'' hands, and an 82 5/8'' wingspan.
Even Derrick Harmon, the Steelers' first-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, doesn't hold a candle to Banks in terms of size. Harmon's official NFL Combine weigh-in numbers came in at 6'4 1/2'', 313 pounds, with 34 3/8'' arms, 10 3/8'' hands, and an 83 3/4'' wingspan.
All three of these Steelers defensive linemen had outstanding measurables for the position, with a terrific combination of mass and length. However, Banks' weigh-in puts all of these to shame.
Banks is currently the 15th overall player on Pro Football Focus' 2026 big board, which would actually make him a value pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers if he fell to the No. 21 pick in the draft.
While the Steelers are highly unlikely to address the interior defensive line in the first round after taking Harmon last season, it's worth mentioning that Cam Heyward turns 37 years old this offseason and could be playing his final season in the NFL. Meanwhile, Keeanu Benton, Pittsburgh's second-round pick in 2023, is entering a contract year.
Caleb Banks isn't a perfect prospect, as he's dealt with injuries while putting up modest numbers behind the line of scrimmage. However, the big Florida defensive lineman only helped his cause with an eye-popping weigh-in at the 2026 NFL Combine.