NFL Draft: Vikings take Florida DT Caleb Banks with No. 18 pick

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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Caleb Banks #88 of the Florida Gators celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Florida State Seminoles during the second quarter of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Gainesville, ((Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images))

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MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The NFL Draft is Thursday night, the first of three days for all 32 NFL teams to add some of the top prospects to their rosters.

FOX 9’s Dawn Mitchell and Ahmad Hicks were joined by Minnesota Vikings’ analyst Ron Johnson, and Pete Bercich from the Vikings Audio Network. The Vikings had the No. 18 overall pick in the first round of the draft, and beefed up in the trenches with Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, considered one of the top defensive linemen in the draft.

Caleb Banks: ‘I was hoping it was the Vikings’

Caleb Banks on being drafted by Vikings: 'It's a blessing'

Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks was drafted 18th overall by the Minnesota Vikings Thursday night in the NFL Draft. He spoke with reporters over Zoom after getting the call from Kevin O'Connell and Rob Brzezinski.

After getting his life-changing call from the Minnesota Vikings, first round pick Caleb Banks spoke with reporters over Zoom Thursday night. He said he was nervous the whole day, and was hoping he would get drafted by the Vikings after taking a top-30 visit to Minnesota.

"The whole day was nerve-racking if I’m being honest. I kind of had the jitters the whole day. I was hoping it was the Vikings, I told my family I hope it’s them. I loved everything I seen when I was up there. When I got the call, I saw it was the Vikings and I jumped. It’s a blessing," Banks said.

He's hoping to be a game-changing defensive tackle for the Vikings who can help them win in the trenches.

Kevin O'Connell on Caleb Banks: ‘This guy loves football’

Vikings take Caleb Banks with No. 18 pick: 'This guy loves football'

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and acting general manager Rob Brzezinski addressed reporters Thursday night at TCO Performance Center after they chose Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the No. 18 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and acting general manager Rob Brzezinski met with reporters after they took Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the No. 18 overall pick. Banks sent all 32 NFL teams a letter about his surgically repaired left foot, saying he'll be medically cleared for full football activity in early June.

The goal for Banks is to be a dominant force on the defensive line under Brian Flores.

"He loves football, wants to be coached hard and ultimately believes that the Minnesota Vikings is a great place for him to come and try to maximize who he is as a player, not only now, but where we think he can take this thing throughout his career with the type of talent and ability that he has," O'Connell said. "It’s a lot of time and anergy and focus to make sure when we were selecting a player at 18, we were selecting a player that has a chance to really impact our organization at that position."

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Vikings take Caleb Banks with No. 18 pick

The Vikings decided to bolster their defensive line with their first round pick. They selected Calb Banks, a defensive tackle out of Florida. He’s currently recovering from having a bone surgically repaired in his left foot, but is reportedly on pace to be medically cleared for full football activities in early June.

Vikings take Florida DT Caleb Banks with No. 18 pick in NFL Draft

The Minnesota Vikings selected Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the No. 18 pick in the NFL Draft Thursday night. FOX 9's Dawn Mitchell, Ahmad Hicks and Vikings' analyst Ron Johnson analyze the move live from the team's draft party at U.S. Bank Stadium.

He suffered a fracture during the NFL Combine. He played just three games last season at Florida because of an injury to the same foot. Banks is 6-6 and 327 pounds, and is ranked among the top-five defensive tackles in the draft class.

In 2024, Banks had seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He played 12 games at Florida in both 2023 and 2024, logging 19 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in 2023.

The Vikings have spots to fill on the defensive line, with Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen departing in free agency, and Jonathan Greenard’s future with the team uncertain.

NFC North Division in the NFL Draft

With the No. 17 pick in the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions beefed up their offensive line. They selected Monroe Freeling, an offensive tackle out of Clemson.

With the No. 25 pick, the Chicago Bears added to their secondary. They selected Dillon Thieneman, a safety out of Oregon. A majority of mock drafts leading up to Thursday night had the Vikings taking Thieneman with their first round pick.

Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to Las Vegas Raiders

As expected, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick Thursday night. Mendoza is fresh off leading the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff national championship, and winning the Heisman Trophy. Mendoza looks to be the future franchise quarterback for the Raiders, but will have to compete with Kirk Cousins this season. Cousins signed with the Raiders in free agency.

Vikings have No. 18 pick

What we know:

Barring any trades, the Vikings have the No. 18 pick in the first round. For several weeks, the name they’ve been linked to is Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. He would likely be the ideal replacement for Harrison Smith. The Vikings are waiting for word from the veteran safety on if he’ll return for his 15th season, or hang up the cleats and retire.

Vikings in the NFL Draft: What will they do with the No. 18 pick?

The NFL Draft is Thursday night, and the Minnesota Vikings have the No. 18 overall pick. FOX 9's Ahmad Hicks joined All Day to give analysis on what the Vikings will do, and what else to expect from the draft.

What we don't know:

Which direction the Vikings will go with their first round pick. They have needs in the secondary, and on the offensive line with center Ryan Kelly retiring in the offseason.

NFC North Division

The other side:

We also wait to see what other NFC North Division teams do in Thursday night’s first round.

The Detroit Lions are one pick in front of the Vikings with the No. 17 overall pick. The Chicago Bears have the No. 25 overall pick, and the Green Bay Packers currently do not have a first round selection, barring a trade. The Packers gave the Dallas Cowboys their 2026 first round pick last season in exchange for Micah Parsons.