Jordan Reid’s Latest Mock Draft Says Defense for Vikings
The 2026 NFL Draft is now 50 days away, and according to ESPN’s Jordan Reid — a Minnesota Vikings enthusiast as a younger man before taking the plunge with ESPN — Kevin O’Connell’s team will end up with Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
Banks keeps showing up for Minnesota, and the fit points straight at an overdue investment in the defensive interior.
Banks isn’t exactly Minnesota’s leading frontrunner at the 18th overall pick, but his popularity is rising among the team’s fans.
Caleb Banks Keeps Trending for Pick No. 18
ESPN mock draft for Minnesota rolls with a defensive lineman.
Reid: Banks to Vikings at No. 18
Banks ranks 25th on the Consensus Big Board as of March 4th, but Reid likes him for the Vikings.
He wrote at No. 18, “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.”
In Round 2, per Reid, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez got the call: “The Vikings have recently struggled to find starters outside Round 1. They need help at linebacker, as Eric Wilson is a free agent who turns 32 next season. Rodriguez would provide Minnesota a plug-and-play option at the second level of Brian Flores’ defense.”
Back-to-back defensive picks would not disappoint fans.
The Need for Youth after Allen and Hargrave
Last offseason, Minnesota invested in the aforementioned Hargrave and Allen as its big DT solutions. They did not work out, at least not as planned. The pair produced at an average level, which didn’t quite meet the requirements of the handsome contracts they signed with former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Now, it might be time for youth. The “old DT” avenue yielded a dead end. Banks is the youth.
The Vikings also have youngsters (or relative youngsters) Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins in the pipeline at the same position. Trotting out a trio of Redmond, Drake Rodriguez, and Banks in 2026 might just do the trick.
The Banks Draft Profile
Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 330 pounds, Banks possesses an imposing size that immediately commands attention on the defensive line. Nearing 23 years old, he also shows a level of physical maturity that exceeds many draft prospects, potentially allowing for a smoother transition into the rigors of the NFL.
Banks’s appeal also extends beyond his sheer size. He demonstrates exceptional quickness off the snap, frequently defeating opposing centers and guards with his initial burst. This explosive first step, paired with powerful hands and raw strength, enables him to collapse the pocket and disrupt rushing attempts.
During his 34 games at Louisville and Florida, Banks recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, showcasing his ability to generate interior pressure while maintaining his position against the run.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Banks to Chicago Bears DT Gervon Dexter Sr. and explains, “Big-framed, long-limbed interior defender whose play needs more polish to consistently match his traits. Banks has a quick first step. He can stun/control single blocks when his hand strikes are timely and accurate, but he needs faster disengagement to increase his tackle count.”
“His high center of gravity allows double teams to generate displacement, so a move to odd-front end could be in his best interest as a run defender. Like a grappler without submission knowledge, Banks is still learning to unlock his physical advantages so he can turn them into sacks.”
It’s Time for a DT in the Draft
Since 2013, the Vikings have drafted six defensive tackles before the end of the fifth round:
- Sharrif Floyd (Round 1, 2013)
- Jaleel Johnson (Round 4, 2017)
- James Lynch (Round 4, 2020)
- Esezi Otomewo (Round 5, 2022)
- Jaquelin Roy (Round 5, 2023)
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (Round 5, 2025)
That contrasts with the approach of other teams. During the same period, the Green Bay Packers used four picks in the first three rounds on defensive tackles, and the Baltimore Ravens selected six before the end of Round 3. Playoff contenders consistently invest significant draft capital in their defensive interiors.
The Vikings, however, have taken a less aggressive approach, primarily addressing the position through mid-round selections and veteran acquisitions rather than premium draft picks. Given that interior disruption is crucial to all defenses, particularly in Flores’ pressure-oriented scheme, this approach must change.
The prevalence of Banks in Vikings mock drafts would signal a sweet shift in strategy, and selecting a defensive tackle with notable draft value would signal a commitment to building the damn trenches with youth.
It’s worth noting that many Vikings-themed mock drafts envision the club selecting a cornerback — there’s also a drought there — like Mansoor Delane (LSU) or Avieon Terrell (Clemson).
Minnesota has nine draft picks on the menu this year; in 2024, it entered the weekend with five.
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