Caleb Banks Can Be A Skeleton Key In Flores' Defense

After months of everyone and their mom mocking Dillon Thieneman to the Minnesota Vikings, the Purple and Gold surprised everyone by picking Caleb Banks, a defensive tackle from Florida. While the initial reaction from most fans was a sense of disappointment in not getting the player most had all but printed the jersey plate for, Banks is still an incredible player, one that fans should be excited about.

It was evident that the Vikings needed a defensive tackle. With Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave not working out this season and finding themselves off the roster, the team needed to get young, elite talent in a defensive tackle room that has a bunch of undersized, overachieving grit guys who have carved out niches for themselves.

At 6’6”, 327 lbs., Caleb Banks has the size that the Vikings have lacked from the interior defensive line position for some time now. He also has a 99th percentile wingspan of almost 86”, something that has become increasingly important for teams to see in their interior tackles. Banks also has an impressive motor for someone his size, chasing down ball carriers from behind and sticking with the blindside pursuit.

Watching Banks on tape, his size is the first thing that stands out to most, and for good reason, but what is almost more impressive is his first step. Banks has an explosive first step, something defensive linemen at his size traditionally don’t have, creating instant penetration against slow-footed offensive linemen who try to win with power.

Banks also has an impressive step fake and swipe move, showing he has some potential to add pass-rush moves to his arsenal.

When he isn’t able to win with speed, he can use his heavy hands and arm length to incredible effect, knocking back offensive linemen, keeping them at a distance, and then overpowering them. His size allows him to overpower guards and centers at the point of attack and collapse the pocket with a bull rush, creating situations where quarterbacks have to step out of the pocket and create out of structure.

While he might not show up on the stat sheet, his pass rush is incredibly impressive and something that made him stand out when compared to other interior tackles in this class.

Banks has some impressive pass-rush moves. However, he likely will need to add more to his toolbox at the NFL level to fully optimize his ability.

In the run game, he has shown the ability to engage multiple blockers, preventing opposing linemen from reaching the second level and impeding linebackers. Expect Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson to make an even more impressive impact in the run game this season with Banks manning the middle of the line.

Banks also has the versatility that Brian Flores loves to see in his defensive linemen, lining up everywhere from a true nose tackle to a 9-wide position. While he probably will be more of a true nose in this Vikings defense, it will be interesting to see where he lines up in certain subpackages.

However, Banks has a consistency issue. While he’s supremely talented, his numbers haven't necessarily reflected his ability. Part of this is occasionally due to his poor tackling. Banks has an issue finishing plays, and he will need to make a point of wrapping up the ball carrier and bringing them to the ground rather than making arm tackles.

The biggest issue with Banks is his injury history. This past season, he missed most of it and the draft process due to a nagging foot injury. While he hopes to be ready in time for June, the Vikings might slowly work him back, given just how they have handled major injuries in the past.

Banks looks to be a Day 1 starter who has legitimate star potential in the middle of the defense, as both a run defender who can eat blocks and a developing pass rusher. His ability to be a disruptive force will likely come down to how healthy he can stay, and just how much he can stay on the field.