Banks & Orange
Vikings Rookie DL Report Card: Young Defenders Aren't Ready for Regular Season
Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange didn't grade out like Vikings fans would have hoped against the Giants, and that clouds their outlook for the beginning of the regular season.
The Minnesota Vikings made massive adjustments to their defensive line after the 2025 NFL season. The team parted ways with expensive veterans and used the draft to acquire young talent to fill the holes in the trenches.
First-round pick Caleb Banks and third-round pick Domonique Orange saw their first action of the preseason on Saturday, and expectations were high for the rookie duo to make a great impression against the New York Giants.
Sadly, Banks and Orange struggled in Week 1 of exhibition play. In fact, Banks was the lowest-graded defensive player for Minnesota, according to Pro Football Focus, with a score of 30.4. Orange wasn't far behind the first-round pick, earning a grade of 45.0.
Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange aren't ready for the start of the 2026 NFL season
One disappointing preseason game isn't an insurmountable setback for the Vikings' young defensive linemen, but it is a sign that they might not be ready to take on the responsibilities of being a starter in the NFL until they get more experience under their belts.
Veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave are no longer with the team. Their veteran presence would have allowed Banks and Orange more time to develop before being thrust into action. Instead, that responsibility will fall on Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Jalen Redmond, who are all returning from solid performances last season.
After the exhibition game against the Giants, Banks spoke to the media about his performance. During that conversation, the six-foot-six, 327-pound defender had this to say about his play:
“I feel like there’s some things that I need to work on, definitely. Pad level, just playing some blocks. But that comes with the game. It’s gon’ take time."
Experience is of paramount importance for a young player in the NFL. Getting Banks and Orange as much work as possible during practice and preseason games is essential to get them up to speed as quickly as possible.
Fans who tuned in to watch the Vikings' preseason game and weren't impressed with the play of Minnesota's rookie defensive linemen need to be patient. With time, they will acclimate to the speed and power of the NFL and show the potential that made them high selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In the meantime, Banks and Orange may continue to struggle. And while that might be frustrating to see, it is all part of the process of developing a young player in this league.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
Have to hope someone steps up in the interior not named Jalen Redmond until these young guys get up to speed. I'm not a LDR believer....
How often do rookie IDL players make a strong impact? They are still babies and are playing opposite some of the most technical players in the game ( IOL)
I expect them to struggle all year, doesnt mean I dont like the picks though.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
What a deep and profound article.
Fans who tuned in to watch the Vikings' preseason game and weren't impressed with the play of Minnesota's rookie defensive linemen need to be patient. With time, they will acclimate to the speed and power of the NFL and show the potential that made them high selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In the meantime, Banks and Orange may continue to struggle. And while that might be frustrating to see, it is all part of the process of developing a young player in this league.
No shit? Fans weren't impressed. They may take a process of developing.
Just profound.
"Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange didn't grade out like Vikings fans would have hoped against the Giants, and that clouds their outlook for the beginning of the regular season"
SI appears to have 2 guys on the Vikings beat for some reason. I guess it's to turn out pure b.s. like the above.
With regards to Banks, I’m expecting him to be pushed around a good chunk of the year in the ground game, but to make up for that with some splash plays every so often. I’d hope that Big Citrus develops into being stout against the run sooner rather than later.
That said, nobody is really expecting dominance in their first preseason game.
Neither one of these guys is ready to start, hopefully not a surprise to anyone.
I just hope they can stay healthy, contribute as rotational guys, improve over the season and make some splash plays (as Medaille points out) now and then.
Hopefully 27 is when they really start taking off. Maybe even Q4 of this season?
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
They both got humbled and baptized to the NFL. It happens.
All the warnings from coaches about pad level the last 4 months that they heard are now better understood.
Time to find out if they adjust and change fast or slowly.
Don't trade JJ.
I really like McDonald coming out, was hoping somehow Minnesota would get him. He’s going to have upside as a pass rusher, wait and see:
#Texans 2nd-round rookie DT Kayden McDonald flings Fernando Mendoza for an 11-yard sack.pic.twitter.com/9x9gnjkOIn https://t.co/jXPEUB6WOC
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 21, 2026
ESPN's Nate Taylor said that Woods has been the top performer in KC:
Rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods has been a revelation. Not only has the first-round pick made an impact in each practice, but Woods has quickly shown that he has the quickness and strength to be a potential impact player next to pass rusher Chris Jones. Veterans including center Creed Humphrey, right guard Trey Smith and defensive end George Karlaftis have praised Woods throughout camp.
Woods' explosive ability has helped him produce highlight moments in the trenches, whether blowing by Humphrey on a running play or showing off his pass-rush skills in one-on-one drills. Just last week, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound Woods sprinted to chase down Patrick Mahomes, impressing the quarterback.
I have always thought your 1st rounder has to be an impact starter year one, not someone who is a project or going to take time to develop. No one had Banks going in the 1st round, there was a chance we could have gotten him in the 2nd. Way to early to say it was a bad pick at this point and hopefully he ends up being another Kevin Williams, but I would prefer to play it safe in the early rounds with guys who have production and reps in college, Banks had neither.
JR44 wrote:
I have always thought your 1st rounder has to be an impact starter year one, not someone who is a project or going to take time to develop. No one had Banks going in the 1st round, there was a chance we could have gotten him in the 2nd. Way to early to say it was a bad pick at this point and hopefully he ends up being another Kevin Williams, but I would prefer to play it safe in the early rounds with guys who have production and reps in college, Banks had neither.
Vikes are betting on Bank's upside and they realize there is work to be done. Fans thinking he's going to have a big impact this year are going to be disappointed. He'll probably be on a similar trajectory as Dallas Turner (remains to be seen, but at least sounds promising)....maybe a little quicker as he'll probably get more reps than Dallas did his rookie year.
I thought they were going to take Thieneman, Woods or Lemon at the time their pick came up.
Banks definitely a bigger bet vs Woods...Literally and figuratively
I do believe there was a lot of smoke about the Bears planning to take Banks at 25.
They got a good consolation in Thieneman.
Fingers crossed with Caleb.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
I thought they were going to take Thieneman, Woods or Lemon at the time their pick came up.
Banks definitely a bigger bet vs Woods...Literally and figuratively
I do believe there was a lot of smoke about the Bears planning to take Banks at 25.
They got a good consolation in Thieneman.
Fingers crossed with Caleb.
Well I read that Thieneman was struggling in camp too, so…
I was surprised with the Banks pick when it happened, but I have warmed up to it since. I see the strategy: go for an impact player in the first round if you can. Banks is such a player. He has some injury risk associated to him (which I believe was overblown by the media, a risk, but a reasonable risk). But that's why you can get him at pick 18. Normally that type of player is long gone.
Actually, I was never enamored with any prospect projected to go around (or available at) 18. They chose to not stay it safe, which produces a good but unspectacular roster. Instead, they went all in for Banks. I like that they went for it.
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