Breaking Down Caleb Banks
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 21: Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) during the game between the Florida Gators and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on September 21, 2024 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images With the 18th pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings selected Caleb Banks, defensive tackle, Florida. Banks was ranked 37th on the consensus board , the second-ranked defensive tackle, and the first defensive tackle selected in the draft.
The Vikings didn’t have any significant trade offers prior to making this pick, according to interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, and so presumably there was no significant consideration given to trading this pick, either up or down. The Eagles moved up to #20 from #23 for two fourth-round picks, an offer that may or may not have been extended to the Vikings, but moving back to #23 also opened the door for a team like the Bears or Chiefs to move up and select Banks. The pick was seen as a reach at #18 compared to Banks’ 37th ranking on the consensus board .
Banks’ draft stock fell due to a series of foot fractures he suffered last year that resulted in his playing in only three games last season and a second fracture the night before the Combine which curtailed his ability to do all the drills (although he still ran a 5. 04” 40 on a broken foot which is great for a man his size). Injury Risk Assessment Banks first injured his left foot during spring practices last year, resulting in his walking with a boot for a few weeks.
The same foot then later “fully snapped” during fall practice, causing him to miss the first two games of the season. Banks, apparently eager to return to the field, nevertheless played in the week three game against LSU and aggravated the injury, forcing him to have surgery on what apparently was a Jones fracture. He later returned for the final two games of the season, despite still having an open incision on his foot, rather than shutting it down for the season as he didn’t want his college career to end with the injury and wanting to get back on the field with his teammates.
Banks played the final two games of the season without incident following the surgery to repair the Jones fracture and continued to play in the Senior Bowl without problems, indicating that he is fully recovered from the Jones fracture. However, in preparing for the Combine the night before the event, Banks suffered another type of foot fracture in the same foot- a fracture of the fourth metatarsal- apparently due at least in part to wearing the wrong type of cleats. He didn’t believe it to be a fracture at the time and continued the next day with drills at the Combine.
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