Getty
Caleb Banks lands with the Vikings in the NFL Draft.
After months of speculation, the Minnesota Vikings got their guy, selecting Caleb Banks with the No. 18 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With needs all over the roster, the Vikings opt to address defensive tackle, first, and Banks should have a clear path to play early on for Minnesota.
How Caleb Banks Fits With Minnesota
The Viking defense was in need of some reinforcements at defensive tackle after moving on from Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen. Banks will provide defensive coordinator Brian Flores with some much needed help front alongside Jalen Redmond.
Banks missed nearly all of 2025 with the Florida Gators, but had a monster season in 2024, notching 21 tackles and 4.5 sacks. At 6-foot-6, 327-pounds, there’s not many other players in the draft who measure up.
Trevor Ripley Trevor Ripley is a Heavy writer covering the Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. More about Trevor Ripley