{"id":265226,"date":"2026-02-11T16:30:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T21:30:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=265226"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:09:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:09:01","slug":"latest-espn-mock-draft-proposes-a-new-idea-in-round-1-for-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/11\/latest-espn-mock-draft-proposes-a-new-idea-in-round-1-for-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest ESPN Mock Draft Proposes a New Idea in Round 1 for Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"

With just under two weeks to go until the NFL Scouting Combine<\/a>, the NFL world is in the thick of it when it comes to the 2026 NFL Draft. One of the most interesting parts of draft season is performing mock draft exercises. Sports media companies will be pumping these out for the next two months, exhausting every possible outcome. In the mock draft world, certain teams will sometimes have “consensus” picks. For example, Fernando Mendoza goes to the Raiders<\/a> at #1 in just about every mock draft. The Jets are among the teams with consensus picks in mock drafts this year, often landing Ohio State LB Arvell Reese at #2 and USC WR Makai Lemon at #16. There is clear evidence of this on the NFL Mock Draft Database<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The beautiful thing about the draft, though, is that nothing is truly guaranteed. In the latest mock draft published by ESPN, analyst Field Yates<\/a> goes a different way for New York.<\/p>\n

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Nov 29, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks (88) celebrates recovering a fumble during the second quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A New Contender Enters the Fray<\/h3>\n

Yates kept it chalk with the Jets 2nd overall selection by taking Arvell Reese in this mock draft. The dynamic defensive playmaker could result in great things for a defense<\/a> that struggled mightily in 2025. However, things changed later in the first round as Yates sent Makai Lemon to Baltimore<\/a> at 14th overall. This caused the Jets to go away from the consensus with their other selection in the first round. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, all of the most popular selections at this pick are offensive players. Despite this, Yates went a different direction, avoiding any WR’s and Alabama QB Ty Simpson<\/a>. The pick – Florida DT Caleb Banks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About Caleb Banks<\/h3>\n

The man in the middle of the Florida defensive line is an intriguing prospect in this year’s draft. 2025 was Banks’ fifth season at the collegiate level. He spent two seasons at Louisville before transferring to Florida for his final three seasons. He didn’t play much at Louisville, but when he was given the chance to start at Florida, he made the most of it. Among Power 4 teams, Banks ranked top 20 in pressures in both 2023 and 2024. He also racked up 6 sacks between those two seasons. Standing at 6’6″ and 335 pounds, Banks has the ability to anchor a defensive line and absorb double teams. His 35-inch arms give him the ability to be disruptive in the run game and helped him force multiple fumbles at Florida.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Banks suffered an injury in 2025 in Week 3 that knocked him out until Week 13. He played only three games total last season. Because of this, he started to go under the radar despite great production in the previous two seasons. He put himself on the map last month at the Senior Bowl, though. Banks was phenomenal in the practice drills in Mobile, proving to be a force in his three days of practice. In these clips, the depth that he creates using his strength is important stuff. He also showed off good handwork to be able to push guys aside at times. Nobody’s perfect, though, as he was stood up a few times in these reps.<\/p>\n

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Every 1 on 1 rep from former Florida DT Caleb Banks at the Senior Bowl: https:\/\/t.co\/xNe3v3wed5<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9LEbH2K9kF<\/a><\/p>\n

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) February 1, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n