Dallas Cowboys linked to major WR shake-up before 2026 NFL Draft
Dallas Cowboys could shake up their WR roster ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks is expected to be cleared from injury by summer, easing concerns for his draft prospects. He is projected as a potential 2nd-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Are you worried about Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banksâs injury status as a possible Minnesota Vikings draft target? Donât be, they say. You have to be deep in the Vikings draft weeds to know all about Banks, but thanks to a Wednesday update â one day before the start of the 2026 NFL Draft â the world learned that Banks should be good to go by summer.
His stock has life again. Minnesota could notice.
Realistically, Banks would probably be a 2nd-Round pick for Minnesota if the stars aligned.
Banks started the draft cycle as a 1st-Rounder. Then injuries showed their ugly face.

On Nov 16, 2024, in Gainesville, Florida, Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) celebrates with the ball after scooping up a fumble against LSU during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, a momentum-shifting moment that energized the home crowd and showcased his awareness and motor in a key SEC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images.
Caleb Banks is expected to be cleared from his injury by summer, alleviating concerns about his draft status.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set to begin on June 1, 2026.
Caleb Banks is realistically projected to be a 2nd-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings.
With Banks expected to recover, the Vikings may consider him as a viable option for their 2nd-round pick.
Dallas Cowboys could shake up their WR roster ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Banksâs Prognosis: Nothing to Worry About
Banks should be good to go. Source? Him.
NBC Sportsâ Myles Simmons wrote Wednesday, âThere is some positive news on one of the top defensive tackles in this yearâs draft. Via Pete Thamel of ESPN, former Florida DT Caleb Banks â who suffered a broken foot at the scouting combine â sent a letter to NFL teams on Wednesday informing them that he is on pace to be fully cleared for full football activities in early June.â
âBanks fractured the fourth metatarsal in his foot, which was then surgically repaired in mid-March. He injured his foot the night before his on-field testing, before conducting a partial workout while not knowing the extent of his injury. The previously reported expectation was that Banks would be sidelined until June.â
Before the letter, Banks lived at No. 41 on the Consensus Big Board.
Where to Get Him
When the draft cycle started â December for bad teams, January for everyone else â Banks tipped the scales as a 1st-Round pick, probably between 16 and 32. Heâs considered a boom-or-bust defensive tackle, a guy who could splash big and become an All-Pro or flame out as a bust. Banks is a large lineman who isnât the best at stopping the run. Those characteristics donât usually go hand in hand.
Because of the injury fears, Banks has slid into Round 2, per draft pundits, meaning some team can probably pick him on Friday night. Thereâs a chance that his letter to teams works wonders, but generally speaking, a general manager will likely leave the draft with him in Round 2.
The other top two defensive tackles in this yearâs draft, Peter Woods of Clemson and Kayden McDonald from Ohio State, donât have such injury concerns and may be selected in Round 1 on Thursday night. The Big Three, before Banksâs injury, used to be Woods, Banks, and McDonald.
Banksâs Bio
Banks, an imposing 6â6âł and 330 pounds, is expected to quickly translate his mature frame and strength to the NFL at age 23. He explodes off the line with exceptional burst, frequently beating interior blockers at the snap. Coupled with powerful hands and raw strength, he collapses the pocket and disrupts plays before they can develop.
His collegiate statistics further support this assessment: over 34 games at Louisville and Florida, he totaled 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, demonstrating consistent quarterback pressure and solid run defense.
Bleacher Reportâs Matt Holder on Banks: âCaleb Banks makes a person second-guess what theyâre seeing on film because of how quick and athletic he is for his size. Banks has a good combination of size, strength, athleticism and quickness for an NFL defensive tackle. Accelerates off the line of scrimmage well for a good get-off.â
âCombines quickness and a good arm-over move to beat offensive linemen across their faces as a pass-rusher and run defender. Also displays a hump-move that he can catch offensive linemen leaning and flashes a solid inside spin move that he can develop when rushing the passer at the next level. Good change-of-direction skills to pivot and take advantage of oversets from offensive linemen.â

During the first half on Oct 7, 2023, in Gainesville, Florida, Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) fires up the crowd at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium while facing Vanderbilt, bringing visible energy to the sideline and stands as the Gators looked to build momentum early in the SEC contest. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images.
The Vikings havenât drafted a defensive tackle in Rounds 1, 2, or 3 in 13 years.
Holder continued, âBanks stands up out of his stance and plays with high pad-level, causing him to get pushed out of his gap by double-teams and combo blocks. Foot injury could be a lingering issue.â
âHe missed spring practices and the first two games of the 2025 season because of it, then re-injured it during his first game back and had to have surgery. Also, broke his foot at the NFL Combine.â
Other DT Possibilities for MIN
If one assumes the Vikings leave the draft with a defensive tackle before the end of Round 4 â any DT later than that would merely be a lottery ticket â hereâs the full list of possibilities:

On Oct 11, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois, Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald (98) runs onto the field before kickoff against Illinois at Gies Memorial Stadium, part of a pregame entrance that highlights his size and presence as the Buckeyes prepare for a Big Ten matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images.
Some Vikings fans have taken a shine to Miller and Hunter in Round 2 of their mock drafts in recent weeks.
Banks will turn 24 next offseason.