One of the best available players still available in the 2026 NFL Draft is Southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor. Here’s why he slipped to Day 3 of the NFL Draft, along with a potential landing spot, as he waits to hear his name called on the big stage.
Why Kaleb Proctor is Falling in the 2026 NFL Draft
Coming into the draft, the 6’2″, 291lb defensive lineman ranked as the 8th-best defensive tackle with a grade of 82.8 in PFSN’s NFL Draft HQ.
Proctor is a high-upside defensive tackle prospect who could one day become an impact starter. However, one concern is whether he can acclimate to the NFL level, given he played in the FCS, which has a talent drop-off compared to the FBS.
He spent his entire four-year career with the program, starting as a rotational interior defender before winning the starting spot in 2023, a role he held until he finished playing in the 2025 college season.
In 2025, he took a big step in his development. Besides recording nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss, he had a pressure rate of 13.4% and a pressure-to-sack rate of 23.1%. He was also named the Southland Conference Player of the Year as well as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best defender in FCS.
As well as concerns about the talent level he played against in the FCS with Southeastern Louisiana, some of his measurables weren’t desirable for a defensive tackle.
He ranked in the 35th percentile for height, the 21st percentile for weight, the 29th percentile for hand size (9 1/2″) and the 49th percentile in arm length (33″).
However, he ranked among the best defensive tackles in on-field drills. With a 4.79 40-yard dash, he ranked in the 95th percentile, which is elite for defensive tackles. In the broad jump, he recorded 33″, which is above average in the 88th percentile. Finally, he ranked in the 86th percentile in the broad jump with an above average score of 9’5″.
In PFSN’s Draft HQ, there’s only one defensive tackle who ranks better than Proctor, who is Gracen Halton. However, other boards have him ranked as the 10th-best defensive tackle available, behind players like Zxavian Harris, Darrell Jackson Jr., Zane Durant, and others.
Proctor’s athletic ability is undeniable, but how well will it translate at the next level? There’s a significant difference in measurables between him and other prospects, but he’s also significantly more athletic.
Will he have to wait long for his name to be called on Day 3, or will he be selected quickly?
