Vikings’ No. 18 pick will be cleared from foot surgery this summer

Former Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks entered the 2026 NFL Draft as one of the most physically imposing yet unpredictable prospects in the class, and the Vikings made a great choice. After suffering a severe foot injury during Combine drills, where he still managed to clock a remarkable 5.05-second 40-yard dash despite the broken bone, his draft stock fluctuated significantly. However, Banks has maintained a consistent recovery timeline.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the 6-foot-6, 330-pound lineman is on track to be fully cleared for football activities by early June, ensuring he will be ready for the start of NFL training camps this summer.

The Minnesota Vikings officially prioritized strengthening their defensive interior by selecting Caleb Banks with the 18th overall pick.

Although concerns arose regarding his limited production in 2025 and his injury history, the Vikings remain confident in his medical outlook.

Adam Schefter reported on X that NFL teams received a formal letter this week confirming that a CT scan conducted on Tuesday showed excellent progress.

Banks is expected to be “fully cleared for all football activities in early June” as he recovers from the surgery on the bone in his left foot.

For Minnesota, drafting a player with Banks’ rare combination of size and athleticism at mid-round value could turn out to be one of the biggest steals of the first round once he returns to full health.

In other draft news, the tight end market finally saw its first move as Kenyon Sadiq was drafted by the New York Jets.

Leading up to the pick, there was considerable debate regarding Sadiq’s potential, with Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports noting that teams viewed the Oregon star as a high-impact offensive weapon.

Although some had linked him to Baltimore, the Jets successfully secured Sadiq to enhance their passing attack, making him one of the few non-receiver skill players to be selected in the first round of this unique 2026 draft class.