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.
Banks was one of the Vikings’ Top 30 visits during the pre-Draft process, and they obviously spent a lot of time with him and were comfortable enough with his medicals to take the gamble on him. All we can do is hope it works out.
Thank you to all of you who took the time to participate in our survey about the Vikings’ first-round pick, folks!
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