The New Orleans Saints have selected Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas with the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here’s everything you need to know about the newest Saint.
Stats & Accolades
- 2022: Started 13 games at left tackle. Freshman All-American. Second-Team All-Big 12.
- 2023: Started 14 games at left tackle. First-Team All-Big 12.
- 2024: Started 15 games at left tackle. First-Team Associated Press All-American. First-Team All-SEC. Co-winner of the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy (nation’s top OL/DL).
What the Saints are getting:
A smooth operator at a premium position who’s played for one of the most successful programs in the country over the past three seasons. Banks has started every regular-season game for the Longhorns during his career and he helped bring the Longhorns back to prominence with back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff. He has prototypical size at 6’5 and 315 with the type of sweet feet that help make any left tackle successful. Banks’ 10 ⅜” hands help him latch on to defenders before taking them for a ride as a run blocker. He’s got the tenacity and strength to be a difference-maker for a run-heavy team but will have to reinforce his anchor against power rushers at the next level.
Strengths
- Basketball feet as a pass protector
- Rarely caught off-guard by inside counters
- Loses very little momentum when running through kickout blocks
- Impressive leverage to torque defenders where he wants them to go despite improper positioning
- Rarely caught with dead feet
- Adept at reading and picking up stunts/games
Weaknesses
- Must strengthen his anchor against edge rushers who win with power
- On-field athleticism in spades but still manages to get caught off guard by counters more often than you’d like
- Too often provides a soft outside corner
- Must refine landmarks for initial punches in pass pro
Athletic Testing
- Height: 6’5
- Weight: 315 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 5.16 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.79 seconds
- Vertical jump: 32 inches
- Broad jump: 8 feet, 8 inches
- Short shuttle: 7.81 seconds
- 3-cone drill: 4.66 seconds
- Bench press: N/A
