After months of speculation, the Minnesota Vikings got their guy, selecting Caleb Banks with the No. 18 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With needs all over the roster, the Vikings opt to address defensive tackle, first, and Banks should have a clear path to play early on for Minnesota.
How Caleb Banks Fits With Minnesota
The Viking defense was in need of some reinforcements at defensive tackle after moving on from Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Banks will provide defensive coordinator Brian Flores with some much needed help front alongside Jalen Redmond.
Banks missed nearly all of 2025 with the Florida Gators, but had a monster season in 2024, notching 21 tackles and 4.5 sacks. At 6-foot-6, 327-pounds, there’s not many other players in the draft who measure up.
While injury concerns may have dropped him in the draft, he sent a letter to all NFL teams this week saying he is on track after dealing with a foot injury in last year. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that the latest scans looked good.
“The letter states that Banks underwent a CT scan Tuesday and is ‘on pace to be fully cleared for full football activities in early June,’ sources told ESPN,” wrote Thamel.
Minnesota was obviously comfortable moving ahead with the talented lineman.
What Ceiling Does Banks Have Despite Injury Concerns?
NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay had some high praise for the newest Viking, but admitted he’s a bit hard to fully evaluate because of his injury history.
“Banks is one of the most talented players and one of the top defensive tackle prospects in this class,” wrote McShay. “Concerns about his durability will hurt his draft stock, but he still has a chance to be the first Florida defensive lineman drafted in the first round since Taven Bryan in 2018.”
“Banks has All-Pro potential whether he’s playing on the inside in a four-man front or as defensive end in a base three-man front. There are no obvious comps here. Jordan Davis is bigger and even more explosive. Calais Campbell and DeForest Buckner were lighter coming out of college. That said, I do see shades of Chris Jones when he was coming out of Mississippi State in 2016.”
What the Banks Pick Means for the Rest of the Vikings’ Draft
While most analyst expected the Vikings to address safety with the N0. 18 pick, Minnesota instead opts for defensive tackle.
Both positions were big needs for the Vikings, but now with the defensive front solidified, Minnesota will now look to fill voids at safety, center, receiver and running back among others. With three picks still remaining in the top-100, Minnesota will have a busy day on Friday as they continue to build their roster.
Still, the Vikings are off to a strong start in the 2026 NFL Draft, securing a potential top-10 player as long as he can remain healthy.
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