Vikings Meet with Undercover Rookie ‘Freak’
The Minnesota Vikings will need inside linebacker depth this offseason, and if they play their cards right, they might just land University of Texas-San Antonio’s Shad Banks. The soon-to-be rookie defender has evidently met with several NFL teams, and Minnesota was among them.
Banks checks depth and development boxes, and Minnesota’s visit signals genuine interest in adding him during the draft process.
If the Vikings end up with Banks, it will likely be via undrafted free agency, a process with which general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is highly familiar.
Banks Fits Minnesota’s UDFA Profile
Banks could be the next UDFA find for the purple team.
Vikings, Among Other Teams, Meet with Banks
Most Vikings and NFL fans don’t know anything about Banks, as he’s not expected to be drafted in April.
But teams are curious about him. NFL analyst Ryan Fowler tweeted last week, “A popular name during the pre-draft process thus far has been UTSA LB Shad Banks. Big time athlete (former Junior Olympic triple jump champ) who was a focal point at both Hula & the American Bowl. He’s now had multiple individual meetings with the Commanders, Bears & Falcons, and recently met with the following clubs: Vikings, Broncos, Raiders, Lions, Jets.”
And if you study the Vikings’ behavior since Adofo-Mensah took over the big job in 2022, Banks is precisely the type of undrafted free agent who would sign in Minnesota hours after the draft.
The Scouting Report
Banks is 6’1″ and 230 pounds. He certainly isn’t undersized. Banks also has 4.45 speed.
On Bruce Feldman’s annual ‘physical freak list,’ Banks earned placement in 2023. Feldman noted, “He might be the only linebacker in Power 5 — or maybe all of FBS — who is back deep returning kickoffs. He averaged 27 yards on three returns last season.”
“And this is no small linebacker. Banks, who started two games at linebacker in 2022 and made a career-high 10 tackles against Kansas State in the Big 12 title game, is 6-1, 250 pounds, and a former two-time Junior Olympic national triple jump champion. He consistently runs 21 MPH and has been clocked at 4.4 in the 40. He also vertical-jumped 38 inches.”
NFL Draft Buzz on Banks: “Banks flashes the take-on skills and functional strength to play the middle of a 4-3. Gives effort between the tackles to find the ball and is willing to take on linemen. He has enough speed to chase and run in pursuit.”
“Banks has the overall athleticism to hold up in space when dropping into coverage. Big, aggressive hitter who can lay the wood. Has good awareness to quickly locate the ball, keeping his eyes up and on point. He’s a fluid mover in pursuit as well, capable of moving down the line and making plays in pursuit. The talent is there as a sideline-to-sideline playmaker.”
It remains unclear why it’s such a foregone conclusion that Banks won’t be drafted. A pre-draft mystery.
Minnesota’s Offseason LB Room
Believe it or not, the Vikings’ linebacker situation is incredibly bare entering the offseason. Without Banks in the mix, Minnesota embarks on the offseason with these off-ball linebackers under contract:
- Blake Cashman
- Josh Ross
- Jacob Roberts
Yes, that’s really it. Cashman is a starter, but Ross and Roberts may not even make the practice squad in 2026. The solution could be as easy as re-signing Eric Wilson and/or Ivan Pace Jr. In fact, Wilson is probably on his way back now that Brian Flores’s contract was extended.
But as of late January, Minnesota has one of the skinniest ILB corps imaginable.
Our Janik Eckardt on the LB situation: “The Vikings are in the market for a linebacker, needing both a starter and depth. Cashman will return for a third season, but he missed multiple games in each of his two Vikings seasons and hasn’t been the most durable player throughout his career. Other than him, the linebacker depth is nonexistent. Eric Wilson is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March.”
“After his breakout campaign, there might be other franchises intrigued by the veteran. Brian Flores’ likely return increases the chance of a contract extension. Ivan Pace, who started at linebacker in 2023 and 2024, was sent to the bench for Wilson. His contract is expiring, too. Unlike Wilson, he is a restricted free agent, but it’s fair to wonder whether the Vikings view him as a long-term option, as he couldn’t hang on to the starting job.”
Other LBs from the Draft and Free Agency?
Thankfully, finding a good inside linebacker isn’t as tricky, for example, as finding premier EDGE rushers and cornerbacks.
From free agency, Minnesota could pursue these ILB starters:
- Devin Bush
- Devin Lloyd
- Kenneth Murray
- Leo Chenal
- Nakobe Dean
- Quay Walker
- Quincy Williams
Or from the draft via Round 1 through Round 4, these rookies could be available:
- Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas)
- C.J. Allen (Georgia)
- Deontae Lawson (Alabama)
- Harold Perkins (LSU)
- Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)
- Jake Golday (Cincinnati)
- Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
- Taurean York (Texas A&M)
Styles is considered the almighty ILB catch from this year’s draft, probably slated to go off the board in the first 20 picks.
Banks will turn 23 in March.
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