The Vikings’ 1st-Round Pick Had a Good Day at the Office

So far, the Vikings’ 1st-Round pick has had a modest start to his NFL career. Making the jump from college to the pros isn’t easy, a reality that’s made worse by needing to overcome injury (read Will Fries talk about his journey back to health).

Young DT Caleb Banks did have a nice day today, though.

By no means a finished product, Mr. Banks flashed at various points. He boasts a unique frame that allows him to be a menace within the trenches but has so far struggled to stand out despite immense potential. Some of that potential turned into production from within the second day of joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Vikings’ 1st-Round Pick Did Well Today

Perhaps the most basic reason for optimism rests in the reality that Banks got a lot of work with the first-team defense. Likewise, fellow rookie DT Domonique Orange got tossed into the mix quite a lot with the starters.

Banks gives the team more agility and upside for penetration. Orange is going to be somebody who is very difficult to move (but he’ll push back against the insistence that there’s no pass rushing in his game). Getting inserted into the mix is a positive development, especially with the Vikings announcing that a veteran DT got shown the door.

A lot of my focus today was on Caleb Banks. Sometimes, the large lads can get lost in the shuffle, especially with a pair of teams doing battle. Seeing #95 run onto the field caused me to tune in. What he did was often impressive.

First, though, consider the negative.

On several snaps, Banks got snagged up on his blocker. Sometimes he appears content to bench press his blocker but do little to shake free of the o-lineman’s mitts. At other times, Banks is just a hair slow, leaving him reaching his long arms for a tackle that aren’t yet quick enough to get the job done.

More positive is that Banks proved to be a handful on other snaps.

On a specific play in 11-on-11, Caleb Banks was working as a 3-4 defensive end. Andrew Van Ginkel was to the outside of him and chatting with the rookie DT prior to the play beginning. Sure enough, Banks dipped underneath his blocker to get into the backfield for a TFL on that precise play. Did Banks soak up a coaching point from Van Ginkel and then go make a play?

On a different play, Banks didn’t get home for the sack on the passer. What he did do, though, was absolutely bully his blocker way into the backfield. Doing so crowds the pocket in a way that makes the quarterback very uncomfortable.

Banks gets moved to the left side and right side. He can be pushed outward and inward. Presumably, he’s nimble enough to get used on stunts. So, too, should he be capable of making a mess of a screen through hustle and be able to work as a backside tackler when scraping down the line. Suplexing the QB may be in his future, too.

Caleb Banks is going to be as good as he wants to be. He lacks for nothing by way of physical talent. DC Brian Flores is terrific at his job and Ryan Nielsen is super detailed when coaching up d-linemen. Banks needs to put in the work to unlock what appears to be limitless potential.

The towering DT is 23.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.