Why Saints Drafting Of Kelvin Banks Jr. Made Sense
With the ninth overall choice in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
A two-time All-American, Banks also won the 2024 Outland Trophy for the nation's top offensive lineman. He was the third of three offensive linemen chosen in the first nine picks of the draft.
This marked the third time in the last four years and fourth time in six years that the Saints have drafted an offensive lineman in the first round. Over the last 11 years, New Orleans has drafted seven offensive linemen in the first two rounds and 12 offensive linemen total.
The selection of Banks may have been anticlimactic or even boring to some fans. Bolstering the offensive line was still a legitimate need for new Saints head coach Kellen Moore.
Here's a look at what Banks brings to the offensive front.
OT - Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
A highly sought five-star recruit from Summer Creek High School in Texas, Banks elected to stay in-state with the Longhorns. He was almost an instant star, starting every game at left tackle as a freshman in 2022 and getting named 2nd Team All-Big 12.
Banks was even better for the Longhorns in 2023, pulling in 1st Team All-Big 12 and 2nd Team All-American honors. Last season, he'd win the coveted Outland Trophy in addition to 1st Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American accolades.
There aren't many weaknesses in Banks' game. In pass protection, he can be guilty of getting himself off balance by overextending. This can leave him vulnerable to inside counter moves or reacting to stunts.
Banks hand placement can be improved. He didn't lose leverage battles often, but when he did that was usually the issue. Some analysts have shown concern over his arm length and even predicted a move inside to guard.
A lean blocker at 6'5" and 315-Lbs., Banks shows an excellent combination of agility, quickness, and strength. He's into his stance in an instant. Once in his stance, Banks shows outstanding vision and reaction to opposing rush concepts.
Banks has the quickness to shift into position to handle twists, stunts, or extra defenders. He's an elite technician with the necessary footwork and power to also bully opposing defenders.
As a run blocker, Banks sets the edge consistently and fires off the ball to establish lanes into the second level. He was one of the NCAA's best in pass protection, routinely silencing some of the nation's best pass rushers.
Kelvin Banks Jr. was a left tackle throughout his career at Texas. He's expected to be the same in the NFL. Doing so will likely mean that Taliese Fuaga, last year's first-round choice, flips to right tackle. Fuaga played right tackle throughout his own collegiate career at Oregon State.
Saints coach Kellen Moore strongly hinted that he wanted the team to be better in the trenches leading up to the draft. On paper, they certainly addressed that need by drafting Kelvin Banks. If he performs as expected, then the Saints have two young bookends at tackle for perhaps the next decade.
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