The Minnesota Vikings' 2026 draft class has its share of believers—and just as many skeptics, especially among some unfiltered NFL executives who aren't shy about voicing their doubts.

In a recent deep dive from The Athletic, Mike Sando polled league insiders to grade both the NFC and AFC draft hauls. Unsurprisingly, the Vikings didn't come away with top marks. While the team made clear strides to bolster the roster—especially on defense, with an early focus on the front seven—not everyone is convinced the picks will pay off.

The draft's most polarizing selection? Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks. Sando's piece draws an interesting parallel to the Vikings' controversial decision to draft Randy Moss years ago—a move that, despite the initial backlash, turned into a Hall of Fame career. Whether Banks can follow a similar trajectory remains to be seen, but the early reviews are mixed at best.

Much of the conversation centers on the influence of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. As one executive explained, "The takeaway from the Minnesota draft is that Brian Flores has a lot of say in the building." The comment harkens back to 2019, when Flores, then head coach of the Miami Dolphins, reportedly pushed for drafting Jeffery Simmons—a talented but controversial prospect after video surfaced of him punching a woman. The Dolphins instead chose Christian Wilkins, a safer bet. This time, Flores got his guy in Banks.

But the concerns don't stop there. "Caleb Banks is really talented but does not play with great desire and is hurt all the time," another executive said. "Scares me to death." Banks entered the draft with a broken left foot suffered before the 2025 season and aggravated at the combine, raising red flags about durability and motor.

Still, the Vikings are betting on Flores' defensive vision and Banks' undeniable upside. For a team looking to make noise in the NFC, this draft class could either be a masterstroke or a cautionary tale—and the NFL world is watching closely.