Caleb Banks Lands a Brutal Bust Prediction

Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks has yet to take an NFL snap, and he’s already on bust watch. That’s the verdict, according to Bleacher Report, which predicted one bust from each team this week.

Banks is on track to be ready for training camp after a foot injury at the NFL Combine, but that apparently doesn’t matter to Moe Moton.

Vikings’ Recent Draft History Makes the Label Sting More

BR on Banks as a Bust

It was Banks as a bust per Moton’s determination, and he explained, “According to The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler, Caleb Banks broke his foot at the NFL Scouting Combine and was expected to be out until June.”

“ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that teams received a letter with confirmation of that recovery timeline. The Minnesota Vikings selected Banks with the No. 18 overall pick in the draft, and he’s yet to participate in practice.”

The Vikings announced right after the draft that Banks would heal and be ready for training camp, so it is not surprising that he hasn’t practiced yet. He wasn’t supposed to.

Moton added, “Head coach Kevin O’Connell expects the 6’6″, 327-pound defensive tackle to be ready for training camp (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). Even if Banks is on the practice field in a couple of weeks, the Vikings probably won’t ramp him up to full speed right away.”

“After missing spring practices, the rookie first-rounder may see limited reps, which may delay his start to the season and push for a prominent role on the defensive line.”

Vikings Fans’ Worst Fear

Banks as a bust — in 2026 or beyond — would be an absolute nightmare. There’s a reason general managers shied away from him during the lead-up to the draft: injuries. A bust season would make the Vikings’ decision-makers look downright silly, as the draft community would utter a collective “I told you so.”

Minnesota’s roster is dying for youthful replenishment, and another bust of any kind would feel like a curse. Teams with a string of poor draft classes — the Vikings — cannot win Super Bowls or even make modest playoff runs because the talent pool is too dry. Free agency and trades can only go so far.

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t win the Super Bowl in 2021 by trading for Matthew Stafford alone; it has consistently drafted well for years. The Vikings must follow suit.

Play Early and Start a Positive Trajectory

Of course, Banks doesn’t have to set the world on fire. That’s not the ask in 2026. He must merely stay healthy, play, and generally look like he belongs on a football field. He will get grace to mature and develop; Banks doesn’t need to reach the Pro Bowl in 2026.

Thankfully, Banks is on track to debut at training camp, which is less than two weeks away. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about his 1st-Rounder at minicamp in May: “Caleb is doing great. Got some more positive information here as he reported to Eagan in the last couple days, and very much looking forward to him establishing a great plan with our medical staff and the coaching staff.”

“On the coaching staff side, how can we push Caleb from an above-the-neck standpoint to be that much more comfortable when he does get healthy? He gets a great chance this spring and summer to get strong and build himself up.”

There is no evidence to suggest that Banks will be held out of training camp.

“With Caleb, he doesn’t necessarily have to worry about the physical side of it right now, other than just getting healthy. So we can hopefully challenge him to learn multiple spots that coincide with his versatility to align in different impactful spots along the D-line,” O’Connell continued.

“I just think we’re happy with where he’s at, all things considered. We want to have our eyes on that end-of-July date so he can hopefully have a seamless transition into training camp.”

Too Many Draft Gaffes as of Late

Need examples why Banks can’t flop? Minnesota is mitigating these draft misses — players from Round 3 or higher who did not stick around beyond their rookie contracts in the last five years:

• Kellen Mond | QB (2021, R3)
• Chazz Surratt | LB (2021, R3)
• Wyatt Davis | G (2021, R3)
• Lewis Cine | S (2022, R1)
• Andrew Booth | CB (2022, R2)
• Ed Ingram | G (2022, R2)
• Brian Asamoah | LB (2022, R3)
• Mekhi Blackmon | CB (2023, R3)

Meanwhile, the verdict is still out on players like J.J. McCarthy and Tai Felton.

The Vikings need a draft win, and Banks is the most recent trial.

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