2026 Draft: Defensive Tackle

[OldEngland]

Have you got a link to info about those two broken feet? All I've found is a ligament injury in 2023 and then missing a couple of games this year with a foot injury.

Nice interview with him that talks a little about the injuries and subsequent surgery.

https://facesmag.ca/ottawas-akheem-mesidor-ready-for-nfl-scouts-to-see-the-real-me/#:~:text=Photography by Diamond Images/Getty,pain and just get surgery.

The article says he tore the plantar plates of both feet and eventually decided to have the surgeries.

My understanding is plantar plate tears are essentially the same as turf toe. So Mesidor maybe had a higher grade turf toe in both feet that he eventually had enough of and got the surgery. That makes sense with in terms of wanting to play with custom made orthopaedic cleats. It also explains why he was so much more productive this season.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

AI says since the issue was with both feet it is a structural problem that will not go away. After 1 year with orthodics the risk is more moderate than high, but the risk is permanent. Needs orthodics and medical maintenance for his career.

 

[OldEngland]

Had a quick look at prognosis following planter plate surgery.

90% of people return to pre-surgery activity levels. The surgery allows return to sport at a high rate. The orthopaedic cleats help prevent recurrence. 12 year follow-up data in sports-people (that included football players) was decent. Re-tearing is rare but recurrence of deformity in about 16%.

Prognosis looks good. But I'm sure teams will want to have a good handle on his injury history, and what it might mean in terms of longevity of his playing career, especially since its both feet.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Had a quick look at prognosis following planter plate surgery.

90% of people return to pre-surgery activity levels. The surgery allows return to sport at a high rate. The orthopaedic cleats help prevent recurrence. 12 year follow-up data in sports-people (that included football players) was decent. Re-tearing is rare but recurrence of deformity in about 16%.

Prognosis looks good. But I'm sure teams will want to have a good handle on his injury history, and what it might mean in terms of longevity of his playing career, especially since its both feet.

Was the 12 year follow-up study for people with the problem in 1 foot? Since Mesidor has it in both feet is the risk 30%+, or still only 16%?

 

[mayoclinic]

Florida Gators Star's NFL Draft Stock is Shockingly Surging

This Florida Gators star is seeing his NFL Draft stock skyrocket.

roundtable.io

Planet Theory. Very few people exist of Banks's size. Only a handful have ever been able to move the way he can.

Top 5 talent, if medicals check out.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

This is a position I think I'd be way more interested in than most people. The core competencies of our defense, IMO, are the coverage CBs and the interior pass rushers. However, when you have to put a non-factor pass rusher in the game like Tonga to play the run, you kind of cut your own legs out from under you on that second core competency. If we could get one of those truly dominant NTs that's primarily a run defender but still just so naturally strong and powerful that they bring pass rush juice by default of just pushing their guy back into the QB I think it would unlock our defensive front fully. We wouldn't have to weaken our interior pass rush strength to stop the run.

It's not a position I'd necessarily prioritize, but if there was a player with that archetype who's BPA at any of our selections I'd be hard pressed to pass on that player

 

[Clonamery]

Florida Gators Star's NFL Draft Stock is Shockingly Surging

This Florida Gators star is seeing his NFL Draft stock skyrocket.

roundtable.io

Planet Theory. Very few people exist of Banks's size. Only a handful have ever been able to move the way he can.

Top 5 talent, if medicals check out.

Won't likely go Top 5 but he is scary.

 

[mayoclinic]

Ouch.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Florida DT Caleb Banks

From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free...

steelersdepot.com

 

[mayoclinic]

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas Tech DL Lee Hunter

From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free...

steelersdepot.com

 

[Huckleberry1]

Florida Gators Star's NFL Draft Stock is Shockingly Surging

This Florida Gators star is seeing his NFL Draft stock skyrocket.

roundtable.io

Planet Theory. Very few people exist of Banks's size. Only a handful have ever been able to move the way he can.

Top 5 talent, if medicals check out.

Agree completely. If he's there and healthy take him. He plays like Albert Haynesworth, hopefully he isn't insane.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Florida Gators Star's NFL Draft Stock is Shockingly Surging

This Florida Gators star is seeing his NFL Draft stock skyrocket.

roundtable.io

Planet Theory. Very few people exist of Banks's size. Only a handful have ever been able to move the way he can.

Top 5 talent, if medicals check out.

If they are able to draft Banks, which is a big if, it could open up a Barmore and a mid rd pick for Maxx Crosby deal.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Florida Gators Star's NFL Draft Stock is Shockingly Surging

This Florida Gators star is seeing his NFL Draft stock skyrocket.

roundtable.io

Planet Theory. Very few people exist of Banks's size. Only a handful have ever been able to move the way he can.

Top 5 talent, if medicals check out.

The more I think about it the less likely it is. Every draft for years guys are identified who are physical freaks, and they always rise from the 2nd/3rd round to 1st round/out of reach.

 

[manxman2601]

The more I think about it the less likely it is. Every draft for years guys are identified who are physical freaks, and they always rise from the 2nd/3rd round to 1st round/out of reach.

Maybe, unless they haven't played most of the season and there's limited tape.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Maybe, unless they haven't played most of the season and there's limited tape.

I hope you're right, but NFL front offices fall in love with physical freaks, and Banks fits that bill.

 

[mayoclinic]

Planet theory.

 

[manxman2601]

It's a good question.

 

[mayoclinic]

I hope so.

 

[Username]

The more Kayden McDonald tape I watch, the more I'm convinced he's the safest pick in the entire draft.

I can't really see him becoming much more than what he is now, but what he is now is an elite run stuffer and a pocket disruptor. He's going under the radar because statistically he doesn't have much pass rush. But although he doesn't get to the QB very often, he creates chaos that allows teammates to get there. But if nothing else, a big run stuffing DT is vastly undervalued, and he has the ability to be elite at the NFL level in that respect.

He will contribute significantly from day one for whoever picks him, although he mightn't put up gaudy numbers. He is such a safe, NFL ready pick.