Brewers place Brandon Woodruff on IL with shoulder inflammation following Thursdayâs early exit
Brandon Woodruff placed on 15-day IL due to shoulder inflammation.
The Minnesota Vikings selected Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in Round 1 of the NFL draft, surprising many as he was projected as a 2nd-Round pick. Bleacher Report criticized the choice, calling it one of the worst selections due to Banks's injury history.
Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings shocked the masses one week ago, selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in Round 1. Most draft pundits had labeled Banks as a 2nd-Round pick. This week, Bleacher Report wasnât shy about the selection, naming it one of the draftâs worst selections and criticizing Banksâs injury history.
Minnesota bet big on upside, and national skepticism arrived almost immediately.
Banks will now have to prove them wrong. Heâs already a lightning rod from the 2026 NFL draft, and only stellar performance will change that.
The Banks pick wasnât universally praised.

Caleb Banks hears his name called as Minnesota makes its selection, stepping into the spotlight after being chosen in the first round, Apr. 23, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Florida defensive lineman joined the Vikings as a highly regarded interior presence, expected to bolster the defensive front with size and disruptive ability. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Vikings selected Caleb Banks in the first round to bet on his potential upside despite most pundits projecting him as a second-round pick.
Bleacher Report criticized the Vikings' selection of Caleb Banks, labeling it one of the draft's worst choices due to his injury history.
Caleb Banks was projected to be selected in the second round before the Vikings chose him in the first round.
Caleb Banks needs to deliver stellar performances to prove critics wrong and change the skepticism surrounding his selection.
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BR on Banks
BRâs Brent Sobleski delivered his takes on the NFLâs âworst draft picks,â and regrettably, Banks made the cut.
Sobleski opined, âThe Issue: Caleb Banks is a massive and mega-talented defensive tackle, who barely played during his final season on campus and has significant concerns over previous foot injuries. How to Make it Work: A healthy career and continued progression from Banks is the only way to validate this selection.â
âOnce again, Banks broke a bone in his foot at this yearâs NFL Scouting Combine. The Vikings still pulled the trigger, because Minnesotaâs decision-makers felt they had a good grasp on Banksâ health and his talent was well-worth the first-round investment.â
Before Thursday night, Minnesota hadnât drafted a defensive tackle in Round 1, 2, or 3 since 2013.
Sobleski added, âFirst-round picks tend to be a 50-50 proposal even in optimal situations. Banks has an added strike against him before walking into Minnesotaâs building. The Vikings must now cross their fingers and hope the defensive lineman can stay on the field.â
âThe pick was the type of high-risk, high-reward opportunity multiple other franchises wouldnât have considered, particularly among the top-20 selections.â
It Really Is Boom or Bust
Large humans with foot injuries always raise concerns. They just donât heal ideally, or at least such injuries make big headlines when they occur to such people.
Prior to the Combine, when Banks broke a bone in his foot, the mock draft community projected him as a sure-fire Round 1 selection. The injury truly changed that. What does this mean? Well, Banks undoubtedly has the size and talent for a 1st-Round commodity. Itâs all about the injury.
If Banks hits, no one will care that the Vikings âreachedâ for him. If the foot injury lingers or leads to others, it will be easy to say, âI told you so.â Plain and simple.
SB Nationâs Scotty Payne noted on Banks a week before the draft, âBanks is very boom/bust. You love the traits, and he has the potential to be a Chris Jones-like player in the middle of your defense. However, the inconsistent play, lack of production, and injuries could give you a dud.â
A Summer of Watchful Eyes
With the draft in the rearview and the NFL schedule release around the bend, the Vikings and all 31 teams will turn to organized team activities (OTAs), minicamp, and later, training camp. You better believe all eyes will be on Banks, with fans waiting to see if the early gamble pays off.

Caleb Banks (88) secures a loose ball during second-half action, reacting quickly after a turnover opportunity, Nov. 16, 2024, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. The Florida defensive lineman capitalized on the play as the Gators controlled momentum in a home win over Missouri in Southeastern Conference competition. Mandatory Credit: Doug Engle-USA TODAY Network.
For example, if Banks is off and running by early August, that will provide a positive signal about his Week 1 readiness. On the contrary, if Banks simply doesnât do much this summer, many will roll their eyes and think or say, âSee, this is a guy you couldâve got in Round 2 or 3 if you knew he wouldnât be ready for 2026.â
The easiest path for all parties is for the Vikingsâ diligence on Banksâs medicals to pan out in the next few months, enabling him to be an active participant this summer.
Joining an Already Good Defense
From the moment defensive boss Brian Flores arrived in the Twin Cities in 2023, Minnesotaâs defense has ranked second in the NFL per EPA/Play and DVOA and placed No. 3 last year behind the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks. Banks is joining a sweet system; Flores and the rest of the gang donât need him to kickstart a unit from the bottom rung of the ladder.
Think of it this way: in 2025, Floresâs defense produced the NFLâs third-best efficiency rankings while employing Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, two expensive free agents from the 2025 class who did not play up to their contractual value. A third-ranked defense with two middling iDL performers suggests the group can become even more dominant if Banks is worth his salt early on.

Caleb Banks speaks with reporters during a media session, answering questions about his progress and outlook for the season, July 16, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The Florida defensive lineman drew attention from media members while discussing development, preparation, and expectations entering the upcoming campaign. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images.
Flores and the Vikings also drafted Iowa State nose tackle Domonique Orange one night after Banks. The interior defensive line may cook in 2026.
Itâs just that Sobleski isnât a fan of Banksâs lower-than-50-50 odds to succeed. Itâs now on Banks and the Vikings, as an organziation, to prove everyone wrong.