MINNEAPOLIS — The 9-8 finish to the 2025 season left a bitter taste in the Twin Cities. Despite a late five-game win streak that saved face, the Minnesota Vikings watched the playoffs from the couch. Now, with the scouting combine looming, the focus shifts to two massive questions: fixing a leaky run defense and solving the quarterback puzzle. New reports link Minnesota to a “human eclipse” at defensive tackle and a blockbuster move for Arizona’s Kyler Murray.
The 330-Pound Answer to a 2,110-Yard Problem
Minnesota’s interior defensive line was supposed to be a strength. It wasn’t. The ballyhooed free-agent additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave failed to anchor the trenches as expected. In fact, Jalen Redmond often looked like the only reliable option inside. The result? The defense surrendered a staggering 2,110 rushing yards in 2025.
Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores—who surprisingly stayed put this offseason—needs a true nose tackle who can eat blocks and crush pockets. Enter Caleb Banks. CBS Sports insider Ryan Wilson projects the Vikings will snag the former Florida Gators behemoth with the No. 18 overall pick.
Banks isn’t just big; he’s an anomaly. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 330 pounds with vine-like 35-inch arms, he fits the physical profile Flores covets. While a foot injury derailed much of his 2025 campaign in Gainesville, Banks reminded scouts of his ceiling at the Senior Bowl.
Scouting Report: “Let Him Off the Bus First”
“[Banks] went to the Senior Bowl, practiced all three days, and was dominant each day. He’s a legit 6‑foot‑6, 330 pounds… Caleb checks both boxes [run stuffer and pass rusher], and he’s the guy that you let get off the bus first to send a message.”
— Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports
Wilson notes that while this draft class is deep with run-stuffers, few possess Banks’ pass-rush upside. If Minnesota wants to stop getting bullied on the ground without sacrificing pressure, Banks represents the ideal pivot from the aging veterans who struggled last fall.
The Kyler Murray Wildcard
While the defense seeks a new anchor, the offense might be looking for a new pilot. Despite selecting J.J. McCarthy in the first round previously, the Vikings are squarely in the mix for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer dropped a bombshell on The Herd, suggesting Arizona is backing itself into a corner where they must cut ties with the former No. 1 overall pick. With Murray’s massive contract guarantees kicking in soon, the Cardinals likely need to trade or release him.
“I think he will find a place that will view him as that reclamation project,” Breer said. “Maybe it’s Minnesota, maybe it’s the Jets.”
Since entering the league, Murray has racked up 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns. If Minnesota’s brass isn’t sold on their current QB room after a turbulent 2025, Murray offers a dynamic, albeit expensive, ceiling that could reignite the offense instantly.
What’s Next for the Vikings?
General Manager duties are currently in flux, but the mandate is clear: get tougher and get dynamic. The 2026 NFL Draft is less than two months away. If Caleb Banks is on the board at 18, don’t be shocked if the Vikings run the card up to the podium. As for Murray, keep an eye on the transaction wire before the new league year begins in March—if he hits the open market, Minnesota will be making calls.
