If Caleb Banks is healthy….
“Freaky. Best rushing DT in the draft, and it’s not even close.”
On the pod @LanceZierlein and I talked about the Vikings’ first round pick, and why he may have the most boom/bust potential of any pick this year.
Getty
Brian Flores' influence seems clear in the Minnesota Vikings' decision to draft Caleb Banks.
The Minnesota Vikings are leaning into their coaching staff as they operate without a full-time general manager, leading to bold decisions, which means “risky” in the case of first-round draft pick and defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
Banks is immensely talented, to the point where the decision to draft him amid the apparent red flags has drawn comparisons to the Vikings selecting Randy Moss in 1998.
However, his addition–and the rest of the Vikings’ offseason moves–speak volumes.
GettyThe Minnesota Vikings are taking a calculated risk with Caleb Banks.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando spoke with executives around the league to gauge opinions of the 2026 draft results, and Banks to the Vikings was as polarizing as it was when Minnesota finalized the decision.
Sando made the Moss comparison, saying the Vikings “can only hope” that Banks comes close to that, and how it appeared as if defensive coordinator Brian Flores has a lot of say internally.
That led to Banks, whom the executives were candid about doubting.
“Caleb Banks is really talented but does not play with great desire and is hurt all the time,” an unnamed executive said, per Sando in the article, which was published on May 1. “Scares me to death.”
If Caleb Banks is healthy….
“Freaky. Best rushing DT in the draft, and it’s not even close.”
On the pod @LanceZierlein and I talked about the Vikings’ first round pick, and why he may have the most boom/bust potential of any pick this year.
Banks, whom Sando called an “obvious risk,” was a projected first-round pick heading into the 2025 season. He suffered a foot injury that ended his campaign, and then another at the combine.
Moreover, the Vikings passed on a player who seemed like a ready-made fit.
“It’s just interesting that they chose Banks over Dillon Thieneman, who could have been their next Harrison Smith,” another unnamed executive said, per Sando. “It just felt like they were doubling down on their defensive coordinator.”
The Vikings drew praise for second-round selection Jake Golday. However, they were questioned for the trade sending Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles.
If Banks pans out or, even better, lives up to the Moss comp, the Vikings will be vindicated.
GettyFormer Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s predecessor will get a fairly clean slate.
Finances are the biggest reason attributed to the Vikings’ trading Greenard. However, that decision–as well as going with options like Banks and fellow draftee Domonique Orange over Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen–will have a significant ripple effect.
The Vikings were over the salary cap heading into the offseason. They sit $16 million below the threshold as of May 1, even with more than $45 million in dead money, per Over The Cap.
Moreover, their books are clean moving forward.
They have $70 million in space in 2027 with $12 million in dead money. The Vikings only have 12 players under contract through 2028. They have five others who will still be on their books by then due to void years.
At any rate, the Vikings’ next general manager is stepping into a better financial situation than their predecessor, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, left behind.
They are also getting Banks, whom the Vikings are confident will be ready for training camp.
Sando also cited Flores’ history with the Miami Dolphins. He was influential in drafting DT Christian Wilkins 13th overall in 2019. Wilkinson notably missed the 2025 season due to a foot injury. The Las Vegas Raiders released him one season into a big contract.
Other factors are impacting Wilkinson’s situation. Still, the Vikings have two very polarizing examples of paths that their decision to draft Banks can take.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He's based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
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