The Minnesota Vikings have their difference maker on the defensive line in Florida Gators defensive tackle Caleb Banks. They arguably “reached” on Banks, who was 37th on the consensus board, but he was down that far mainly due to injuries.

That was the biggest reason why there was so much criticism for the pick. It’s universally agreed upon that Banks will be a difference maker if he can stay on the field. Now that he’s a member of the Vikings, it’s about finding a way to move forward with our analysis.

Caleb Banks fell for Minnesota on his top-30 visit

The communication with the Vikings and Banks started early on, as defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen visited him in Gainesville. That is where the infatuation began, but it continued when he visited the Vikings back in April.

“Yeah, they have a great support staff here. Everybody I’ve talked to told me I can open up to him. I could be myself, and they’ll be here to help be here to help me. I liked it a lot. You know what I mean? I think that helps a player develop on and off the field, and I think that’s going to help me develop and be the best player that I can be.”

Minnesota Vikings DT Caleb Banks

That’s a huge aspect of being successful in the NFL. You need to have the support of everyone around you. Having that feeling after your first visit to a team’s building is massive. It also shouldn’t be much of a surprise. The Vikings have finished top two in the NFLPA survey each of the last four years, and it’s because of things like this.

Banks is going to need that kind of support. It’s not that he’s not talented. Quite the opposite, actually. He never reached his full potential at Florida, and it’s evident that he has mountains of potential.

Luckily for Banks, he’s in the right place. If the Vikings can help him reach that potential, Brian Flores’ defense can become next level.