Chris Jones isn’t shying away from the “next me” conversation; he has embraced it. And with just three simple words, he made it clear how the Kansas City Chiefs veterans are looking at this new wave of NFL talent. With the Florida defensive tackle making those comments, Jones responded in a way only a confident veteran can.

The Chiefs’ star defensive tackle took to X and kept it short and sweet. He posted, “💪🏾💪🏾 keep at it!”

But this wasn’t just a random motivational post for the young draft class of 2026. Jones’ message came after 2026 draft prospect Caleb Banks openly said he models his game after him and even believes he can eventually surpass him.

“Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) for sure,” Caleb Banks told CBS Sports (as per the Houston Stressans’ X post). “He’s a dog. I feel like we have similar traits. I’m not there yet, but once I reach my ceiling, I’ll pass him up a little bit.”

That’s bold. Jones didn’t take it as disrespect and instead chose to respond encouragingly while cheering for the youngster.

Statistically and attribute-wise, Banks is one of the few players in the current class with the physical tools to actually back up his claim. In the scouting circles, Banks is a ‘Planet Theory’ prospect, a term coined by former Giants GM George Young referring to the idea that there are only a few people that big who can move that fast.

At the 2026 NFL Combine, Banks stood out with his 35-inch arms and 85 ¾-inch wingspan. Apparently, they have eclipsed Jones’ own measurements from 2016 (34 ½-inch arms). When we factor in Banks’ 32-inch vertical leap, a rare feat for a 327-pounder who possesses the similar traits. Jones’ career was built on the basis of that massive frame and Banks is entering the league with a nearly identical physical blueprint. 

Jones has been the anchor of Kansas City’s defense for nearly a decade, being a three-time Super Bowl winner and seven-time Pro Bowler. With 87.5 sacks, 339 tackles, and an NFL record of 11 consecutive games with a sack, Jones has set the standard that Banks must reach if he hopes to one day pass him.

During Banks’ five college seasons, he did his best work for Florida, playing in 27 games, making 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Banks had a shorter stint for Louisville, playing seven games, making 2 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, and 1 sack.

The skepticism around Banks stems largely from his 2025 injury-riddled campaign, but his 2024 tape tells a different story. During his junior year, in high-stakes matchups against LSU and Ole Miss alone, he accounted for three sacks and a staggering 15 total pressures.

Scouts see him as a player who, when healthy, is a disruptive force. If he can refine his pad level, a common critique for 6’6″ tackles, his ceiling is just unmatchable.

Now, with his college career behind him and injuries in the rearview, there’s a real possibility that Banks could land with the very team led by the player he looks up to. And if that happens, don’t be surprised if Chris Jones is the first one pushing him to keep getting better.

Caleb Banks’ Combine performance put him on Kansas City’s radar

Caleb Banks made his presence felt at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and he may have done enough to shift the conversation around his draft stock completely.

The Florida defensive tackle clearly missed an opportunity to raise his profile in 2025 after being sidelined by a foot injury that ultimately led to surgery.

However, with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and an equally impressive display at the combine, it is safe to say that Banks is taking full advantage of the opportunities that are still available to him to move up draft boards, possibly even reaching the top 10, which includes the Kansas City Chiefs’ ninth overall pick.

For a defensive tackle of his size, Banks’ combine numbers were impressive. He ran a 5.04 in the 40-yard dash at over 320 pounds, recorded a 32-inch vertical leap, and managed a 9’6″ broad jump.

As stated on the official website of the NFL, Banks received a 6.9 prospect grade, putting him under the “will eventually be plus starter” category. This is a very positive outlook for a player returning from an injury.

Of course, several areas need improvement. In the 2025 season, while playing with a foot injury, it looked like Banks had gained weight and wasn’t as explosive as he had looked earlier. He also tends to play with high hips, which can cause him to lose ground against double teams.

If he can play with lower hips, sink them, and display more flexibility against the run, it can be argued that he has a case as one of the top 10 prospects from his class.