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
