Kelvin Banks Jr. Fantasy Stats

ESPN's Katherine Terrell writes that the New Orleans Saints seem prepared to make rookie first-round offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. their future starting left tackle, which will free up last year's first-rounder, Taliese Fuaga, to move to right tackle, the position he played in college. Banks was moved around during offseason workouts, but it's clear that he'll ultimately stay at tackle with Trevor Penning moving inside to guard. Center Erik McCoy thinks Banks will hold down the left side in the Big Easy for a "long, long time." The 21-year-old from Texas was selected with the ninth overall pick in April's NFL draft. While Banks could have his ups and downs early on as the blind-side protector for either rookie quarterback Tyler Shough or second-year signal-caller Spencer Rattler, his athleticism should make him a staple on the left side in New Orleans for years to come.

The New Orleans Saints signed rookie first-round offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. to a four-year, $27.7 million deal on Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Saints passed on a quarterback in the first round and instead took Banks with the ninth overall pick out of Texas. The 21-year-old should help stabilize the Saints' starting right tackle spot in the long term after Ryan Ramczyk retired. He has the size (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) and athleticism to be a Pro Bowl tackle in the long run, but it remains to be seen if he'll earn a starting gig at right tackle out of the gates in his first NFL season in 2025. It will all depend on how Trevor Penning, who has disappointed so far in his career, looks during training camp and the preseason.

The New Orleans Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. The Saints pass up a chance to take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the ninth overall pick to boost their offensive line. Banks was a little banged up at Texas in 2024 and therefore wasn't as productive. However, he showed an abundance of talent in 2023 for the Longhorns. The 21-year-old offensive lineman is very smooth and fluid but possesses heavy hands. Banks is great in pass protection when he's healthy, but the Saints still need an answer under center if Derek Carr (shoulder) isn't ready for the start of the 2025 season. Banks will need to learn to finish his blocks more consistently, but he's a fine building block in the trenches for a Saints team that has plenty of other needs as well.