The Detroit Lions' list of (reported) 30 visits is very, very short.
While other teams have been keeping fans extensively up to date about which prospects they're meeting with ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, the Lions have been fairly inactive. That's a little surprising, considering they have a few holes that could easily be filled as early as Day 1 or 2 of the process.
However, that doesn't mean their short list of visitors isn't indicative of which way the wind is blowing in relation to their 17th or 50th overall pick. One reported visit, with defensive tackle Caleb Banks, could very well tell us everything about what they're looking for next week. While they've also reportedly met with Kadyn Proctor, another potential top pick, Banks' name is pretty intriguing.
The former Florida Gator has some injury history, but he's an impressive, explosive lineman who could be snagged in the first round.
Lions' top pick could be hiding in plain sight
Banks' visit, reported on by 247Sports' Zach Goodall, is the only visit reported on between the Lions and a potential pick that could actually make sense for them on Day 1 or 2. FanSided's Mike Luciano recently shared a quick profile on Banks on his big board, sharing:
"Banks has two major red flags. On top of the fact he played in just a handful of games due to an injury, he is not a very good run stuffer despite the size advantage he had. He's still worth a pick high in the draft, as there are some genuinely rare traits that he has in terms of athletic prowess. Banks' movement skills for his size are special, and it isn't hyperbole to suggest the ceiling for him could be an All-Pro tackle."
This would be yet another gamble taken by the Lions in the draft. When they've hit on injured college stars, they've really hit: Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams are the two best examples of this strategy, with both earning major extensions last year. But, when they've missed, the whiffs were loud. Hendon Hooker is their most recent failure on that front, with the backup quarterback never shaping up in the Lions' system.
READ MORE: Lions GM Brad Holmes isn’t ruling out making a bold move in the 2026 Draft
Levi Onwuzurike is another example of a miss by general manager Brad Holmes, but it also feels a little too early to tell with the young defensive end.
Banks fits the Lions' draft profile, though. They love big, imposing defensive linemen with pass rushing upside, although they'd be sacrificing the addition of a better run defender if they took Banks early on in this draft. And, as reported on recently by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Lions could be looking to literally make a big move in the draft - as in, take a large player.
With so many potential late round picks mixed into the short list of Lions visit in this pre-draft cycle, and just one visit with a potential top-30 pick, it sure does feel like Banks has been there all along as Detroit's favorite prospect fairly early in the draft.
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