Saints Draft Kelvin Banks Jr. At Ninth Overall

Saints Draft Kelvin Banks Jr. At Ninth Overall

6 days ago

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.

Source: NFL.com