Vikings Double Down on Big Defenders — and It Might Pay Off
The Minnesota Vikings turned heads with their first-round pick in this year’s draft by selecting defensive tackle Caleb Banks. They then doubled down and drafted Domonique Orange in the third round. There has been plenty of criticism of the Vikings’ draft, but as a big proponent of building in the trenches first, I give it a thumbs up.
A Bigger DT Front Now Sits at the Center of the Vikings Plan
There was a lot of focus on the safety position going into this draft, and there are still questions to be answered there despite the Vikings drafting Jakobe Thomas late in the third round. There were several options to add at the defensive tackle position over the first two days of the draft. Minnesota chose Banks and Orange to add to Jalen Redmond, giving the Vikings an exciting young trio on the interior of the defensive line.
Up until news of his most recent foot injury, Banks was my favored option for the Vikings at 18. Usually, medical red flags frighten teams away – see Jermod McCoy’s slide to the fourth round this year – but the Vikings chose to gamble on Banks’ health.
Banks has the talent, he wowed at the NFL combine despite having already injured his foot – unknown at the time – and looked like he was about to rise to the top end of the first round draft board. His injury history is a major concern that needs a solution, but I still like adding Banks.
Many feel like he could have been gotten after trading back for better value, but the cards are dealt now. The success of this pick will be judged by what Banks does on the field. At 6’6 and 327 lbs, Banks is a monster in the middle who can dominate against both the pass and rush – if he can stay healthy.
The Vikings showed interest in Orange in the build-up to the draft, but after drafting Banks in the first, it was perhaps a slight surprise they drafted him in the third. Orange is stouter than Banks at 6’2 and 322 lbs, and he’s not there for finesse. Orange can be the solid, immovable foundation for Redmond, Banks, and the Vikings’ pass rushers to work around. I really like the pick, and with strength up front, the rest of the defense can fall into place.
A Change to the Same Plan
Last year, the Vikings also looked to bolster their interior defensive line, but they did it by spending big money on veteran free agents. Neither Jonathan Allen nor Javon Hargrave had the desired effect, and neither of them will be back in Minnesota for the 2026 season.
Will the different approach this season have more success? Allen and Hargrave were decent for the Vikings, but no more, and if Banks and Orange can offer that level of play to Brian Flores’ defense at a fraction of the price. That is a win for Minnesota.
Of course, there is also more longevity to this plan, with the hope that Banks and Orange will become big contributors to the Vikings’ defense for years to come. With Redmond as the only interior defensive lineman who is truly established, the pathway is clear for the two rookies to get early playing time in their careers.
Their competition includes Levi Drake-Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Taki Taimani, and Elijah Williams. If both live up to their expectations, and particularly in Banks’ case, stay healthy, both Banks and Orange should see plenty of playing time in their rookie seasons, and both can make a positive impact.
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