NFL Draft 2026: DT medical report - Caleb Banks, Tyre West, Rayshaun Benny
Banks hits the ceiling with concern level while West & Benny are closer to the floor
The Lions are looking solid at the DT position with the expected rebound of Alim McNeill from his ACL, and the 2nd-year bump of Tyleik Williams. However, there should be no hesitation to double-down at that valuable position if a really good player is available - see Aaron Donald vs Eric Ebron in 2014.
The following are three DT’s who might interest the Lions in the mid-late rounds. One of these players is a top prospect and has had a Top-30 with the Lions, but has foot injuries that could cause a draft day drop as steep as the harrowing, Magnum XL-200 plummet at Cedar Point (trust me, I still remember). The other 2 are late-round prospects, one of whom was the first known Top-30 visit with the Lions.
For the full NFL 2026 draft prospect medical analysis page, click here.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Caleb Banks, DT (23): 3 recent foot surgeries - 10/10
Tyre West, DT/DE (23): few minor injuries, possible concussion - 2/10
Rayshaun Benny, DT (24): fibula fracture, remote knee - 3/10
Caleb Banks, DT (23) - Florida
Projected round 2. #36 on Daniel Jeremiah board March 5. Top-30 visit with Lions.
Concern level 10/10
2026 NFL combine: Fractured foot at combine (4th metatarsal) with surgery on March 9, 2026.
2025: 3/12 games. Injured foot in August. September foot fracture with surgery.
2024: 12/13 games. Injured foot late in season and missed bowl game, required offseason surgery.
2023: 12/12 games
2022: 6 games
2021: 1 game
Three foot surgeries in the past 1.5 years is extremely concerning. His foot anatomy simply may not be able to handle his size and power.
Previously projected to go within the first two rounds, a fall deep into the draft is very possible now after the NFL combine results. The Lions don’t have a 3rd round pick, but might need to be prepared to make a decision on him if he’s available in the 4th or later. The Lions had a Top-30 visit with him which certainly included a medical evaluation of Banks’ feet.
I would not take this kind of foot history in the first five rounds. At a certain point, the potential reward is worth the draft pick though.
Tyre West, DT/DE (23) - Tennessee
Projected round 5-7. Top 30 visit with Lions.
Concern level 2/10
2025: 12/13 games. Missed Game 4, unknown reason. Exited Game 9 with possible concussion.
2024: 12/13 games. Missed 1 game, unknown reason.
2023: 13/13 games
2022: 11/13 games
West has shown good reliability in his career, missing just two games in his final two seasons. His age is a tick higher than ideal. Overall, he carries minimal concerns for a later-round pick.
Rayshaun Benny, DT (24) - Michigan
Projected round 4-6.
Concern level 3/10
2025: 13/13 games
2024: 11/13 games. Missed 2 games with unknown injury.
2023: 14/15 games. Broken fibula in playoffs.
2022: 13/14 games
2021: 3 games
Benny had a reliable final season at Michigan, but was banged up a couple times in the prior two seasons. The broken fibula in the 2023 season isn’t a concern if it’s isolated. But if it involved the ankle joint, it could be more of an issue.
A remote knee injury in high school needs some investigation, but he’s proven himself in multiple college seasons since. His age is older than ideal.
For more red-flag players coming out of the NFL combine…
You *had* to remind me that we took Eric Ebron over Aaron Donald. I had almost recovered from that selection...now the scab has been picked. 😄