Vikings DC Brian Flores eases concern on controversial rookie, and the why behind it matters
There have been real concerns with first-round pick DT Caleb Banks, but we are getting too far out front of ourselves.
When the Minnesota Vikings selected defensive tackle Caleb Banks out of the University of Florida, it was a massive home run swing. The 2026 NFL Draft class wasn’t the strongest from top to bottom, and there was a major lack of blue-chip talent.
With the Vikings selecting 18th overall, the talent pool they were set to choose from wasn’t going to be very strong. Taking a home run swing was the smart play, but it didn’t come without controversy. Banks has struggled throughout his first few weeks of training camp practice and preseason games coming off of two foot injuries. He even admitted that he wasn’t in shape, which isn’t that much of a surprise.
Brian Flores sees a role for Caleb Banks
With him still getting into shape, along with playing a bit of catch-up with practice, Banks sowed some struggles duirng the games, especially with his pad level. Because of that, there has been criticism of the pick, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores has seen something different: growth.
“Yeah, I do. I think he’s had a good training camp. I think he’s continually gotten better, day by day, meeting by meeting, walk-through by walk-through, practice by practice. I think he’s doing a nice job, and I think we’ll have a role in some capacity for him and several of the rookies,” said Flores.
It was evident in all three preseason games as well, showing incremental growth each week. It’s a transition for all of these rookies, which is something that Flores highlighted.
“I’m excited to see them all kind of get out there and you know in their first regular-season game. I try to tell them this: you’re never going to experience something like this. The game is faster, it’s more physical, it’s violent, and so all the things we love about the game, and they’re going to have a good time. But somewhere along the line, they’re going to learn a lesson there too. And so we learn from those lessons, like we always do,” said Flores.
Banks gets it as well, as he will have 18-20 family members at the game.
“I’m really excited. I’m hyped, like I’m ready to just show them all the hard work that I put in. You know what I mean? So it’s gonna be pretty exciting. I just can’t wait for them to see it,” said Banks.
It’s going to take time for Banks to become what he could be, but there is still belief as to what that is.
