There’s an Underwhelming Caleb Banks Forecast
If you’re counting on Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks to make an immediate impact as a starter, Bleacher Report wants you to rethink your stance.
Minnesota picked Banks with the 18th overall selection in April, and according to Kristopher Knox, Banks will likely be used as a rotational piece in 2026, much to Vikings fans’ chagrin.
Recent Rookie Results Suggest Patience Is Reasonable for Banks
BR: Banks Will Compete for a Rotational Role
Knox predicted the impact from every 1st-Rounder heading into 2026, and on Banks, he scribed, “Initial Role: Compete for Rotational Role. The Minnesota Vikings rebuilt their defensive front during the offseason, parting with Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen while adding Isaiahh Loudermilk and rookies Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange.”
“While Banks was Minnesota’s first pick in April’s draft, he may be pushing for periodic playing time in camp.”
Banks’s health and presence at training camp in three weeks will be among Minnesota’s top storylines.
Knox concluded. “He has been relegated to rehabilitation work thus far while recovering from foot surgery—though the Vikings are pleased with his growth on the mental side. If fully recovered by the start of camp, Banks should be fighting for a prominent role in Minnesota’s defensive line rotation.”
A Record Scratch Sound
It’s been a very long time since the Vikings drafted a defensive tackle in Round 1 — Sharrif Floyd from the same school as Banks in 2013 — and most have assumed that, if healthy, Banks should start right away. Round 1 rookies usually play, right?
That may not be the case for Banks, who’s navigated two foot injuries, one from last summer and the other at the NFL Combine in February. The Vikings could slow-roll his on-field appearance, or they could simply be patient with his development, not rushing him into the starting lineup because they have personnel options.
In any event, it’s important to remember that young DTs often take longer to develop than players at other positions. Patience among fans will be required.
Recent History
Need numbers? We’ve got them. Most Round 1 defensive tackles get significant action as rookies — why draft them in Round 1 if not? — but few start from cover to cover.
Since 2022, these players selected in the 1st Round started the following number of games as rookies:
- Mason Graham: 17 Starts (2025)
- Tyleik Williams: 10 Starts (2025)
- Byron Murphy: 9 Starts (2024)
- Derrick Harmon: 8 Starts (2025)
- Jordan Davis: 5 Starts (2022)
- Kenneth Grant: 5 Starts (2025)
- Mazi Smith: 3 Starts (2023)
- Jalen Carter: 1 Start (2023)
- Bryan Bresee: 0 Starts (2023)
Graham from the Cleveland Browns is the only guy to get the nod in all 17 starts. In that vein, Knox may be correct.
A Positive Trajectory and Health All That Matter
What do Vikings fans need to see from Banks to feel encouraged by the pick and excited about his future? Simple — a clean bill of health and a player who passes the eye test as a rookie, if only down the stretch of the regular season. Think: Dallas Turner in 2024 on the latter.
Unless absolutely necessary, Banks cannot redshirt as a rookie. If so, almost everybody will question the draft pick. He also can’t play like an utter buffoon. The Viking Age‘s Anthony Miller recently noted on Banks: “That foot injury is going to cause a lot of stress in Minneapolis since Banks has injured it twice in the last nine months: once in the regular season and then again during the NFL Combine.”
“At the position he plays, it’s going to be difficult for him to fight through that injury without it popping up again at some point. The decision to select him adds just as much pressure on the Vikings’ coaching staff and front office as it does on Banks.”
Banks’s draft stock fell so far in March and April that most firmly expected him to fly off the board in Round 2. Before the Combine, he was a no-brainer 1st-Rounder.
Miller added, “They knew what they were signing up for with Banks, so they have to hope he can follow through and be the talent they want him to be while staying healthy. Banks has all the capabilities to be a great defensive tackle in Brian Flores’ scheme.”
“He might be seen more as the guy to cause congestion in the middle of the line, but he could be the next Jalen Redmond and also be a solid pass rusher.”
If Banks stays healthy, makes splash plays here and there, and appears to be a young asset with an upward arrow, onlookers will rejoice. The Vikings have so few successful draft stories over the last four years that the bar is pretty damn low.
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