It’s Banks or Bust for the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings knew they were going to be on the clock with the 18th overall pick for months. While they controlled their own destiny regarding movement around the pick, they ultimately opted to stay where they began and operate as the draft board dictated.

It appeared as though things lined up perfectly. It remains uncertain if Harrison Smith will be back in a Vikings uniform this season, and regardless, a safety replacement was needed. Dillon Thieneman had been projected to wear purple, and he was available. Minnesota said no.

The Entire Draft Now Runs through One Defensive Tackle

Instead, after parting with failed free agents Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, Brian Flores beefed up his defense with nose tackle Caleb Banks. The impressive Florida prospect has drawn plenty of comparisons to Chris Jones, and there’s no denying he can be a problem on the interior.

The problem is that Banks has suffered two foot injuries in the past 12 months. The first didn’t heal enough to stay that way, and after breaking it again, the defensive tackle underwent surgery.

Vikings DT Caleb Banks in Atlanta in the summer of 2025 as a Gator — Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Now, it’s more than understandable why the Minnesota Vikings would have interest in Banks. In 2023 and 2024, he played all 12 games each season and racked up 4.5 sacks in 2024. He’s a run stuffer in every sense of the word, but he’s still athletic enough to chase down the quarterback.

If that’s the guy Minnesota is getting, they’ll never think about the money they burned on Hargrave and Allen ever again. If instead he’s a 6’6″ mountain of a man weighing 327 pounds with feet that don’t support his stature, then things will go pear-shaped quickly.

Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Micah Leon (12), Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88), and Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) sing after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota brought back Jalen Redmond after his breakout season. He is the only returning member of the defensive line with any experience of substance. Banks is basically being counted on to contribute right away, but there’s no certainty that the healing process will allow that to happen.

If Minnesota gets what they are hoping for in Banks, then they probably won’t worry about the additional picks they could have had to move down and take him anyway. If they don’t, then this no-general manager ship might have hit a snag before ever launching off the mainland.