Brian Flores isn’t messing around, as the Minnesota Vikings select Caleb Banks in the first round of the NFL Draft.
There were rumblings that the Minnesota Vikings might do something interesting in the NFL Draft on Thursday night. That came to fruition, as they selected Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks at 18th overall.
It’s a major upgrade for the Vikings on the interior of the defensive line, as Banks is an incredible player. There are some serious questions about his future, which raises more questions about why they took him.
The Vikings had a massive need on the defensive line. They cut both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in March after poor play this past year. The difficult part for Banks is the three foot injuries he suffered this past year. Here’s a quick synopsis that I wrote predraft.
When you have the conversation about Caleb Banks, it needs to be made with two things in mind: his abilities and the injury history. Banks is arguably the best defensive tackle in this class from a size and skill perspective. His 6’6 and 327 pound frame carries 35″ arms, and he understands how to use them to his advantage. Plus, he’s explosive off the ball, creating havoc in the backfield with consistency. Where things get complicated is Banks’ left foot. Three injuries to it over the past year, including a broken fourth metatarsal at the NFL Scouting Combine, create a very complicated situation. If he’s healthy, Banks is a three-down player who can lineup all across the line of scrimmage.
The good news is that Banks’ foot has a good prognosis, as his surgeon projects him to be healthy at the beginning of June. This is a home run swing on a 1-2 count. If it hits for the Vikings, Banks is an elite difference maker. If they miss, it will be a tough pill to swallow, but there is a lot to like.
Grade: A-
