Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks soared on draft night. The Vikings snagged a top prospect, betting on his recovery and elite skills after a surprising fall.
Before the NFL Scouting Combine, it would have been no surprise to see Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks taken with the No. 18 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
If fact, there was chatter he could be a top 10 player in the 2026 class.
However, a foot injury at the NFL Scouting Combine made some pause about taking Banks, who needed a second surgery in six months this spring.
Some draft analysts like ESPN's Mel Kiper and The Athletic's Dane Brugler thought Banks draft stock would take a hit after the injury, and he could be a Day 2 selection.
The Minnesota Vikings were rumored to have eyes on Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 18, but they made one of the surprising moves of the first round, taking Banks.
During his news conference on Thursday night, Vikings interim general manager Ryan Brzezinski suggested the team actually drafted him because of the foot injury. Had that happened, Banks would have gone much higher than 18.
Brzezinski believes Banks was the player on the board at 18, regardless of the injury.
"None of this you can just look at in a vacuum," Brzezinski said, via ESPN. "We just stack the board based on the way we see the talent, and you're analyzing everything and including everything.
"And we just felt really comfortable where he was on our board. And the board fell and he was the best player on the board, and we took him and it was pretty easy."
The Vikings believe their medical team will be able to manage Banks' recovery.
"I think we have the best doctors in the country, if not the world," Brzezinski said, "and we have complete confidence in them.
"There's nothing without risk in any player you select, but we feel very good about where Caleb will be when it's time to go to training camp. And so we're comfortable with the injury."
On Wednesday, league teams received a letter with an update on Banks' rehab. The former Gators standout is expected to make a full recovery around the time of mandatory minicamp in June.