Vikings May Have a Draft Gamble at Pick No. 18
The Minnesota Vikings canned Kwesi Adofo-Mensah this offseason largely because of his inability to come through in the NFL Draft. He was able to identify some key contributors in free agency and uncover some undrafted gems, but picks often went to waste.
Caleb Banks Could Tempt the Vikings at Pick No. 18
Arguably, the best talent Adofo-Mensah unearthed during the April process was late-round kicker Will Reichard. With Kevin O’Connell, Rob Brzezinski, and Brian Flores now speaking most significantly into the roster, they have to get things right.
With the 18th overall pick, the MN Vikings need to land a day-one starter, and Caleb Banks could be that. He may also wind up being someone who can’t stay on the field, and therefore a massive reach. Banks is considered “boom or bust.”
ESPN Insider Jordan Rein put together a two-round mock after the NFL Combine. A pair of popular prospects are now gone before reaching pick 18, but Banks is there. The talented Florida Gator is a menacing presence, but there are serious warts.
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is expected to be released and Jonathan Allen could follow, leaving the Vikings extremely thin along the interior defensive line. At 6-foot-6, 327 pounds, Banks is a towering presence who would give Minnesota a key player inside. The Vikings have gravitated toward explosive athletes like Banks, who jumped 32 inches in the vertical and ran a 5.04-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. Banks has an injury history, but he also has plenty of potential and is an ideal fit in coordinator Brian Flores’ defense.
Jordan Reid – ESPN
Minnesota is already done with Hargrave after just one season. They could also cut Jonathan Allen, as Reid mentions, but the cupboard would be incredibly bare.
Either way, the Vikings need to get younger on the interior defensive line. Banks is an intriguing talent because he’d be an immediate difference maker. The only question is whether he can stay on the field.
After suffering a foot injury during camp and then later breaking it, he played in just three games last season for the Gators. In 2024, however, seven of his 21 total tackles were for losses. He also had a whopping 4.5 sacks.
That sort of production is the stuff that Flores would certainly drool over. He plays in both the run and pass game, and Banks can be a stud up the middle. Minnesota needs to make sure it is getting the guy who started 24 games in 2023 and 2024, rather than the one who missed considerable time throughout his collegiate career.
You must be logged in to post a comment.