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There’s an Underwhelming Caleb Banks Forecast

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Caleb Banks answers questions from reporters during SEC Media Days in Atlanta.
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from reporters at the Omni Atlanta Hotel during SEC Media Days, discussing the upcoming season and his role along the defensive front. On July 16, 2025, Banks represented Florida during the conference’s annual media event as attention turned toward fall camp and another SEC schedule. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images.

If you’re counting on Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks to make an immediate impact as a starter, Bleacher Report wants you to rethink your stance.

Minnesota picked Banks with the 18th overall selection in April, and according to Kristopher Knox, Banks will likely be used as a rotational piece in 2026, much to Vikings fans’ chagrin.

Recent Rookie Results Suggest Patience Is Reasonable for Banks

Caleb Banks touches down at MSP Airport after being drafted by the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive lineman Caleb Banks arrives at MSP Airport as cameras follow the opening moments of his first day with the franchise after the NFL Draft. In May 2026, Banks wore team colors and took in the Twin Cities while beginning his new professional chapter with Minnesota during The Voyage feature that spring. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

BR: Banks Will Compete for a Rotational Role

Knox predicted the impact from every 1st-Rounder heading into 2026, and on Banks, he scribed, “Initial Role: Compete for Rotational Role. The Minnesota Vikings rebuilt their defensive front during the offseason, parting with Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen while adding Isaiahh Loudermilk and rookies Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange.”

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“While Banks was Minnesota’s first pick in April’s draft, he may be pushing for periodic playing time in camp.”

Banks’s health and presence at training camp in three weeks will be among Minnesota’s top storylines.

Knox concluded. “He has been relegated to rehabilitation work thus far while recovering from foot surgery—though the Vikings are pleased with his growth on the mental side. If fully recovered by the start of camp, Banks should be fighting for a prominent role in Minnesota’s defensive line rotation.”

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A Record Scratch Sound

It’s been a very long time since the Vikings drafted a defensive tackle in Round 1 — Sharrif Floyd from the same school as Banks in 2013 — and most have assumed that, if healthy, Banks should start right away. Round 1 rookies usually play, right?

That may not be the case for Banks, who’s navigated two foot injuries, one from last summer and the other at the NFL Combine in February. The Vikings could slow-roll his on-field appearance, or they could simply be patient with his development, not rushing him into the starting lineup because they have personnel options.

In any event, it’s important to remember that young DTs often take longer to develop than players at other positions. Patience among fans will be required.

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Recent History

Need numbers? We’ve got them. Most Round 1 defensive tackles get significant action as rookies — why draft them in Round 1 if not? — but few start from cover to cover.

Caleb Banks hypes the Florida crowd during a game against Vanderbilt.
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks energizes the crowd at Steve Spurrier Field during first-half action against Vanderbilt, bringing extra emotion to the home sideline in Gainesville. On Oct. 7, 2023, Banks hyped Florida supporters as the Gators worked through another SEC matchup at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium that afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Since 2022, these players selected in the 1st Round started the following number of games as rookies:

  • Mason Graham: 17 Starts (2025)
  • Tyleik Williams: 10 Starts (2025)
  • Byron Murphy: 9 Starts (2024)
  • Derrick Harmon: 8 Starts (2025)
  • Jordan Davis: 5 Starts (2022)
  • Kenneth Grant: 5 Starts (2025)
  • Mazi Smith: 3 Starts (2023)
  • Jalen Carter: 1 Start (2023)
  • Bryan Bresee: 0 Starts (2023)

Graham from the Cleveland Browns is the only guy to get the nod in all 17 starts. In that vein, Knox may be correct.

A Positive Trajectory and Health All That Matter

What do Vikings fans need to see from Banks to feel encouraged by the pick and excited about his future? Simple — a clean bill of health and a player who passes the eye test as a rookie, if only down the stretch of the regular season. Think: Dallas Turner in 2024 on the latter.

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Unless absolutely necessary, Banks cannot redshirt as a rookie. If so, almost everybody will question the draft pick. He also can’t play like an utter buffoon. The Viking Age‘s Anthony Miller recently noted on Banks: “That foot injury is going to cause a lot of stress in Minneapolis since Banks has injured it twice in the last nine months: once in the regular season and then again during the NFL Combine.”

“At the position he plays, it’s going to be difficult for him to fight through that injury without it popping up again at some point. The decision to select him adds just as much pressure on the Vikings’ coaching staff and front office as it does on Banks.”

Banks’s draft stock fell so far in March and April that most firmly expected him to fly off the board in Round 2. Before the Combine, he was a no-brainer 1st-Rounder.

Caleb Banks prepares to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks prepares to run the 40-yard dash at Lucas Oil Stadium during the NFL Scouting Combine, settling into position before one of the event’s most watched drills. On Feb. 26, 2026, Banks completed another step in the evaluation process while showcasing his movement skills for NFL coaches and scouts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Miller added, “They knew what they were signing up for with Banks, so they have to hope he can follow through and be the talent they want him to be while staying healthy. Banks has all the capabilities to be a great defensive tackle in Brian Flores’ scheme.”

“He might be seen more as the guy to cause congestion in the middle of the line, but he could be the next Jalen Redmond and also be a solid pass rusher.”

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If Banks stays healthy, makes splash plays here and there, and appears to be a young asset with an upward arrow, onlookers will rejoice. The Vikings have so few successful draft stories over the last four years that the bar is pretty damn low.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

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Pochettino agrees new USA deal until 2030

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Mauricio Pochettino has agreed a new deal to remain as manager of the United States men’s national team until 2030.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss has been in charge since September 2024 and led the USA to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

The co-hosts topped their group after wins over Paraguay and Australia before beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in the last 32.

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Their World Cup run ended with a heavy 4-1 defeat by Belgium.

Under the new agreement, Pochettino and his coaching staff will have a bigger role within US Soccer. They will also advise and support the organisation on areas including youth development, coaching education, professional league partnerships and the wider national team pathway.

“Working together with US Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the men’s national team programme even stronger,” Pochettino said.

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“We are excited by the opportunity to bring all our experience and knowledge to even more areas of US Soccer while helping strengthen the pathways for players, coaches and teams across the federation.

“We want to try to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed us so warmly and for that impact to extend beyond results on the field.”

US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone praised the work done by Pochettino and his staff.

“Mauricio has built a culture where players trust the group, trust the process and trust each other,” she said.

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“We saw the impact of that belief in the way the team grew, competed and performed on the world’s biggest stage.

“That culture, and the staff who helped build it, are exactly what we want to continue investing in for the men’s national team now and for the future.”

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5 players who are switching states ahead of India’s 2026-27 domestic season ft. Shashank Singh

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The annual pre-season transfer window in Indian domestic cricket allows players to switch state associations as outstation or guest recruits under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations.

State teams are permitted up to three guest players to strengthen their squads ahead of the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaigns. These transfers are driven by players seeking more game time, specialized roles, or leadership opportunities, while developing state teams aim to recruit veteran talents to bolster their squad depth.

The upcoming 2026-27 season features several notable moves, with prominent domestic regulars and IPL players shifting allegiances. Let’s take a look at five such moves.

#1 Shashank Singh

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Shashank Singh will turn up for Puducherry in the 2026-27 season after shifting base from Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) has already issued an NOC to the player.

Singh alleged that the state association didn’t support him while he was recovering from an injury that he suffered last season. He further claimed that the association questioned his commitment, saying that the batter only wanted to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 27-year-old added that CSCS officials didn’t give him any clarity over why he was left out of the Chhattisgarh Premier League and the team’s pre-season camp.

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Singh has played 21 first-class games for Chhattisgarh over the last seven years. He has also represented the state in 31 List A and 42 T20s.


#2 Yash Dayal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Yash Dayal will represent Chhattisgarh in the upcoming domestic season. He has already joined the team’s pre-season camp in Alur.

Dayal has not played any competitive cricket since the IPL 2025 final, after which he faced charges relating to sexual assault. The left-arm pacer was retained by Gorakhpur Lions for the upcoming UP T20 League. However, he didn’t feature in the 18-member squad the franchise announced following the auction.

The 28-year-old has represented Uttar Pradesh in 27 first-class, 23 List A, and 71 T20s, picking up 186 wickets across formats, including two five-wicket hauls.

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Dayal will look to start fresh for Chhattisgarh in the upcoming season and make his way back to the scheme of things.


#3 Dharmendrasinh Jadeja

Chhattisgarh is looking to build a strong squad for the upcoming domestic season. As a result, they have roped in Saurashtra‘s veteran left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja.

The 35-year-old spinner has been a stalwart in the domestic circuit, picking up 423 wickets in 100 first-class matches, including seven 10-wicket hauls and 26 five-fors. Jadeja also has 121 List A and 65 T20 wickets under his belt.

Jadeja is also a very handy batter in the lower order, accumulating almost 2900 runs across formats. He also has 10 fifties under his belt.

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Jadeja’s addition will certainly boost Chhattisgarh’s squad depth as they look to put in a spirited performance next season.


#4 Prasad Pawar

Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter Prasad Pawar has signed with Puducherry to play alongside Shashank Singh as a guest player in the upcoming domestic season.

Prasad has struggled for game time in the Mumbai squad, with Hardik Tamore playing as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. As a result, Prasad has decided to shift base to Puducherry in search of more playing time.

Prasad made his List A debut in 2021, while his first-class and T20 debuts came in 2023. Overall, he has represented Mumbai in 27 matches, scoring 591 runs, including one hundred and fifty each.

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#5 Jayant Yadav

An offspinner from Haryana, Jayant Yadav, has decided to join Chhattisgarh for the 2026-27 domestic season. He brings truckloads of experience along with him, having represented India in six Tests and two ODIs while picking up 17 wickets in total.

Yadav has 96 first-class, 74 List A, and 95 T20s under his belt, picking up 272, 68, and 61 wickets, respectively, including two 10-wicket hauls and 15 five-fors. He is also very handy with the bat in the lower order, scoring 4781 runs, including three hundreds and 22 fifties. The 36-year-old cricketer also has one Test hundred and fifty each to his name.

Chhattisgarh will rely heavily on the spin duo of Yadav and Jadeja to bring laurels for the team in the upcoming season.