The Minnesota Vikings have added another young talent to their defensive line by selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The 23-year-old Banks brings a strong collegiate background, having spent two years at Louisville before transferring to Florida, where he played for three seasons. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 327 pounds, Banks is an imposing physical presence on the field.
However, his history of injuries remains a concern for the Vikings. Banks suffered a broken bone in his foot at the Scouting Combine, though he is expected to recover in time for training camp.
While the quarterback competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will dominate headlines in Vikings training camp, Minnesota fans will also be closely watching Banks. The rookie defensive tackle is expected to make an immediate impact on the team’s defensive front.