Predicting Caleb Banks’ Future Boils Down To A Few Key Criteria

The Minnesota Vikings’ selection of Caleb Banks in the first round isn’t universally beloved by fans. His name isn’t Thieneman, he’s injured, and he comes with plenty of questions regarding consistency and technique. Still, he was taken in the first for a reason, so grab the phone still sticking halfway out of your smashed TV screen and let’s dive into Banks’ path towards a future All-Pro selection.

Fans' skepticism is mostly justified. Most draft analysts had Caleb Banks as a second-round player thanks in part to his two foot injuries in less than a year. After playing in only three games for Florida this season, Banks again suffered a setback at the NFL Combine and is expected to be out of team activities until at least June. Happy with the medicals, Minnesota scooped up the physical freak at No. 18, prompting a flurry of “reach” comments.

Injuries aside — and that’s a big aside — Banks has all the tools to become worthy of that high draft spot. Defensive tackles are a hard bunch to project. Still, nearly every All-Pro from the last six years has met certain key criteria. So, how does Banks stack up?

Well, the fact that he ended up as a first-round pick is actually fairly indicative. Last year, CBS Sports took a look at what All-Pro selections at interior defensive line had in common. Of the last 12 players to be named an All-Pro, only three were taken after 40th overall: Nnamdi Madubuike (No. 71 overall), Zach Allen (No. 65 overall), and Grady Jarrett (No. 137 overall). Much like offensive linemen, defensive linemen taken in the first rounds have a much higher success rate than those taken on Days 2 and 3.

Call the Banks picks a reach all you want, but The Athletic’s Alec Lewis mentioned that there were also teams picking in the 20s that were eyeing Banks. Minnesota's decision to take Banks in the first round doesn’t guarantee him a Hall of Fame jacket, as the Vikings know all too well with Shariff Floyd. But seeing 75% of the most recent defensive tackle All-Pros getting selected very highly in the draft seems like a difficult nugget to ignore.

Now on to something a bit more tangible: his measurables. At 6’6”, 327 lbs., Banks is an imposing presence on the inside, and that length is meaningful. Taking that same group of 12 All-Pros since 2019, again only three had shorter wingspans than 80”. Banks, meanwhile, boasts the longest wingspan recording at the combine in the last 30 years at a massive 85 ¾”.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell

“We have a phrase around here: tip a ball, change a game,”

"There aren't very many guys who are 6’6”, 330 lbs., walking around playing D-line with this type of athleticism,” Brian Flores added.

Caleb Banks posted the 39th-best Relative Athletic Score (RAS) ever for a defensive tackle at the combine. His unique athleticism for his size made him a first-round pick. The man ran a five-flat at 327 lbs. in the 40-yard dash on a broken foot. The injury concerns are real but manageable with proper footwear and weight management, making Banks a potential steal.

What may help him the most, though, is getting paired with Jalen Redmond and fellow rookie Domonique Orange. And while it’s devastating, Banks’ last name isn’t “Yellow” to complete the color wheel defensive front, he’ll get plenty of opportunity to make an impact. As we saw in 2025, Redmond can do it all for Flores, and the addition of Orange to swallow up blocks will allow Banks to get after the quarterback a bit. After all, what All-Pro doesn’t get sacks?

In his lone full season at Florida as a starter, Banks racked up 4.5 sacks from the interior, including seven tackles for loss. Now here’s some good news for people who love bad news: In his four other collegiate seasons, he had just two sacks total due to a lack of playing time and, in last year’s case, injury. He’s a bit raw yet for a player who is 22, but there’s probably not another coach on the planet you’d rather have coaching him up.

Ultimately, Caleb Banks has the draft pedigree, size, and situation to become a future star. The Vikings are taking a bit of a risk, but it’s easy to see why they felt good about making Banks their guy in the first round. If history is any indication, Banks has a good chance of overcoming the odds to become Minnesota’s first defensive tackle All-Pro since Kevin Williams.