Sports
La pesadilla de Vitor Roque no tiene fin
Vitor Roque vuelve a lesionarse a 48 días del Mundial tras una dura entrada
Marca1 min read
NFL
Florida DL Caleb Banks selected by Minnesota in 1st round of NFL Draft
TL;DR
Caleb Banks, a defensive lineman from Florida, was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 18 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Known for his ability to disrupt plays, Banks recorded four and a half sacks in his junior season.
Key points
- Caleb Banks selected by Minnesota Vikings
- Drafted with the No. 18 overall pick
- Known for collapsing the pocket and run defense
- Stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 325 pounds
- Recorded four and a half sacks in junior season
Caleb BanksMinnesota VikingsFlorida Gators
Florida DL Caleb Banks selected by Minnesota in 1st round of NFL Draft
Florida football's reputation as a pipeline for playmakers along the defensive front secured another notch on Thursday as the Minnesota Vikings selected Caleb Banks with the No. 18 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Detroit, Michigan, native sports a rare ability to collapse the pocket and command space in the run game. At 6-foot-6-inches, 325 pounds, Banks etched out a role as one of the Gators' most physically striking defenders.
While in Gainesville, he built a presence fortified by disruption and durability. A central cog in Florida's defensive scheme, Banks tallied four and a half sacks during his junior season.
Despite having a collegiate career marred by injury, Banks' development was noted by scouts from his sophomore campaign. He missed all but two games in 2025 due to a broken foot.
His combination of technique and stature made him an intriguing prospect for many teams heading into Thursday's draft — key reasons he climbed draft boards as April got closer.
With the Vikings, Banks projects as a rotational interior defender with tremendous upside if he can stay healthy. Early-down reps could provide the 23-year-old ample opportunities to showcase his raw strength and physicality.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Q&A
What position does Caleb Banks play in the NFL?
Caleb Banks plays as a defensive lineman in the NFL.
Which team drafted Caleb Banks in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Caleb Banks was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.
What were Caleb Banks' statistics during his junior season at Florida?
During his junior season at Florida, Caleb Banks recorded four and a half sacks.