Kevin O'Connell excited about where Caleb Banks is at for the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings surprised many in the 2026 NFL Draft when they selected Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks with the 18th pick. All the mocks had Minnesota taking Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, who was still on the board. The pick left some surprised, as some viewed it as a reach given the foot injury he was still working through from the end of last season. However, it sounds like his recovery is on the right track.

>Banks had two surgeries to repair three different breaks in his foot, as the most recent break was back in February, when he was getting ready to run at the NFL Combine. But, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell, he is in a good spot in his rehab.

"The feedback I'm getting from [assistant] coaches ... has been phenomenal," O'Connell said, "as far as his ability to hear information, retain it and apply it. There's a lot of different ways we can be activating Caleb's brain and the above-the-neck challenge of learning [defensive coordinator Brian Flores'] intricate system. I'm excited about where he's at." -- Kevin Seifert (June 11)

Banks was likely going to be a top-15 player without the injury concerns, and if he can make a full recovery and play up to his potential, this could be a steal for the Minnesota Vikings.

>This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Caleb Banks has the Vikings eager for his return from injury