Former Florida defensive lineman Caleb Banks was taken No. 18 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2026 NFL Draft. Praised for his outstanding physical traits and good short-area quickness, Banks’ pre-combine grade placed him in the boom-or-bust range.
Lower-body injuries that shortened his playing time at Florida created doubt surrounding his viability as a first-round selection. Despite this, the Vikings rolled the dice on the 6-foot-6-inch, 327-pound Detroit, Michigan, native. So, what are the odds Banks has a breakout year as a rookie?
According to Sports Illustrated Betting, Banks currently carries plus-7500 odds to win the NFL defensive rookie of the year award entering the 2026 season. A long shot compared to favorites like Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey, the Florida football alumnus possesses raw talent and stature that rivals those at the top. Given Brian Flores’ aggressive style and Banks’ ability to play multiple spots on the line, his profile could elevate quickly.
Historically, pass rushers and defensive linemen have performed well in the defensive rookie of the year voting — players like Micah Parsons, Chase Young and Nick Bosa all capturing the award in recent seasons.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Where Caleb Banks stands in latest defensive rookie of the year odds
Reporting by Michael Long, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
