2026 NFL Draft Grade: DN Readers Grade the Caleb Banks Pick

EAGAN, MN. - APRIL 2024: The Minnesota Vikings first-round draft pick, Caleb Banks, University of Florida defensive lineman, speaks to the media during a press conference at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minn. on Friday, April 24, 2026. (Photo by Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images

When the Minnesota Vikings made Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, we asked you, our readers, what you thought of the selection. For the most part, you seem to think it was a fairly solid selection, which is about as good as we can hope for when it comes to a player who has yet to actually see an NFL field.

Of those who responded to our poll, 30% of our readers gave the selection a “B” grade to take the top spot. Not far behind was a “C” grade at 27%. I mean, a “C” is at least average, which I guess is okay, but it’s still a little on the disappointing side. A bit more disappointing is the 20% of our readers who gave the selection a “D” grade. 12% of our readers gave the selection an “A,” while 10% went to the opposite end of the scale and gave it a big ol’ “F.”

I know the injury concerns are there with this pick, but it’s really hard for me to be too down on this selection as it stands right now. Banks is one of those guys who obviously has all of the physical gifts that you look for and has the ability to be the best defensive lineman in this class. The defensive line was the biggest need the Vikings had going into this year’s Draft, and it was prudent of them to take a player like Banks early.