The Minnesota Vikings selected former Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to an April 23 announcement.
Banks, who stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 327 pounds, was noted for having the longest wingspan measured at the NFL Combine since 1999—spanning over seven feet. This measurement placed him in the top percentile among defensive tackles.
Although Banks played only three games for Florida in the 2025 season due to a foot injury that required surgery, he recorded six tackles, one tackle for loss, and one fumble recovery. Over his collegiate career at Louisville and Florida, he appeared in a total of 34 games with 24 starts. His career statistics include 48 tackles, six-and-a-half sacks, ten-and-a-half tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three passes defensed and a blocked field goal.
Several analysts ranked Banks highly among this year’s draft prospects. Bucky Brooks from NFL Media and analytics site Pro Football Focus listed him as the second-best defensive lineman available. Daniel Jeremiah placed him third; Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked him fourth; ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked him fifth at his position. Brooks said Banks has “immense size, freakish talent and heavy hands to dominate opponents at the line of scrimmage.” He added: “While injuries prevented him from putting together a statement-making 2025 campaign, the disruptive flashes at the Senior Bowl matched the performance from his junior season.”
Banks will join a Minnesota defensive line that has undergone changes recently. Last spring saw veteran free agents Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen sign with Minnesota before both departed; Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez are returning after gaining attention last season alongside Elijah Williams, Taki Taimani and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
This selection marks only the third time Minnesota has drafted a player from Florida in the first round—the previous two being Percy Harvin (2009) and Sharrif Floyd (2013). Banks is also just the twelfth Gator ever selected by Minnesota.
