Patriots Predicted To Select Caleb Banks To Replace This Departing Free Agent

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The New England Patriots lose some key players in free agency and may have to replace them through the draft.

Among the players leaving the Patriots is Khyiris Tonga. Tonga became an important player for the Patriots in all three phases last season, but is reportedly signing with the Chiefs on a three-year, $21 million deal. The Patriots reportedly tried to get an extension done with him, but ultimately could not.

Tonga will be tough to replace. However, the Patriots could use their first-round pick to bring in a new defensive tackle. CBS Sports' Garrett Podell predicted the Patriots would select University of Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the 31st overall pick.

"The Patriots lost defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to the Chiefs, so they replace him at the back end of Round 1 with the uber-athletic Caleb Banks," Podell wrote on Wednesday. "He wreaked havoc in 2024 but played just three games in 2025 due to a foot injury. This is the type of big swing the defending AFC champs can afford."

Banks is six-foot-six, 327 pounds, and ran a 5.04 40-yard dash. He ranked fifth among defensive tackles in athleticism score at the NFL Combine. His injury may have hurt his draft stock, but he is more than capable of being a difference-maker.

He had 4.5 sacks and seven tackles for a loss in 2024, playing in 12 games for the Florida Gators. NFL Network's Lance Zierlein noted that he needs more polish, but has the physical traits to be a great player.

"Big-framed, long-limbed interior defender whose play needs more polish to consistently match his traits," Zierlein wrote of Banks. "Banks has a quick first step. He can stun/control single blocks when his hand strikes are timely and accurate, but he needs faster disengagement to increase his tackle count. His high center of gravity allows double teams to generate displacement, so a move to odd-front end could be in his best interest as a run defender. Like a grappler without submission knowledge, Banks is still learning to unlock his physical advantages so he can turn them into sacks."