The Minnesota Vikings took a big swing by drafting defensive tackle Caleb Banks with their first-round pick in April, one that included both incredibly upside and significant risk.
Banks missed all but three games during his final collegiate season at Florida due to a foot injury, which also resulted in the six-foot, six-inch and 327-pound lineman missing some offseason work after joining Minnesota.
After struggling mightily during the Vikings’ 13-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in their second preseason outing over the weekend, Banks spoke candidly about his current level of conditioning.
“To be honest, I’m out of shape right now,” Banks said. “I need to run more gassers after practice. You guys will see me doing that.”
“I like Banks’ future, but his lack of conditioning and need to improve his technique was obvious on Saturday,” Judd Zulgad of SKOR North captioned a repost of Banks’ comments on Monday.
Caleb Banks Struggled During Joint Practice Sessions With Ravens Heading Into Week 2 of Preseason
GettyMinnesota Vikings defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
Zulgad also commented on Banks’ play in realtime over the weekend.
“Observations from the field glasses: Big Citrus really impressing me but Caleb Banks needs a ton of work and now looks exhausted,” Zulgad wrote. “Banks was used to overpowering O-linemen in college but now is easily being handled and his pad level is way too high.”
And Zulgad wasn’t the only one who made it a point to highlight Banks’ struggles during a game in which JJ McCarthy may have lost the QB2 job to Carson Wentz in what would be a truly shocking development ahead of the regular season.
Banks’ problems didn’t start during the preseason contest either, but rather were evident to observers across the previous week of practice.
“Banks was mostly with the backups. What I did see, though, wasn’t super encouraging,” K. Joudry of Vikings Territory wrote after watching Vikings-Ravens joint practice sessions.
“He looks long out there, which is a good thing. He can long-arm the offensive tackle with a stab move, but is too often slowed down before driving his man back or shaking free of the blocker’s hands,” Joudry continued. “Indeed, he looks a hair slow getting off his blocks. Maybe that’s to be expected, but there’s room for growth here. Being just okay isn’t good enough for a No. 18 selection.”
No Need for Vikings, Fans to Panic Over Caleb Banks Yet
GettyDefensive tackle Caleb Banks of the Minnesota Vikings.
Banks is a longterm play and has plenty of time to get on track.
That said, Minnesota’s defensive front is going to rely on pocket disruption from the defensive interior early and often, and how much Banks can give them right away is quickly becoming a viable and concerning question.
That Banks is being honest in his assessment of himself and pointing to the same shortcomings others are noting externally is a positive sign that indicates maturity, self-awareness and a willingness to work. Minnesota brass and fans alike can hopefully find encouragement in that.
But sooner than later, Banks is going to have to provide more in terms of on-field production.
Vikings’ 1st-Rounder Caleb Banks Shares Brutally Honest Take After Ugly Outing