He was always supposed to be a "guard." That’s what the draft experts said, right? Too short for a tackle. Arms might not be long enough.
They were wrong.
When the New Orleans Saints took the former Texas Longhorn at No. 9 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, a lot of people figured he’d eventually slide inside. But Kelvin Banks Jr. PFF data from his rookie year tells a completely different story. The kid didn't just survive on the edge; he thrived. Honestly, if you look at the numbers, he was basically the anchor of a Saints line that desperately needed a pulse.
Why the College Numbers Mattered
At Texas, Banks was a brick wall. Over three seasons and 1,477 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed exactly four sacks. Four. That is a level of consistency you just don't see. PFF gave him a monstrous 89.0 pass-blocking grade in his final year at Austin. He wasn't just beating guys; he was erasing them.
He won the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy. He was a unanimous All-American. But the NFL is a different beast. Speed rushers in the SEC are fast, but speed rushers in the pros are terrifying. There was a legitimate question: could his technique mask the physical "limitations" the scouts kept harping on?
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The Rookie Reality Check
Banks didn't wait around to prove he belonged. During the 2025 preseason, he posted an 88.1 pass-blocking grade, which was the highest among all NFL tackles during that span. He didn't allow a single pressure in his first 23 pro snaps.
Once the regular season hit, the volume went up, and the efficiency stayed respectable. He finished the 2025 campaign with a 73.3 overall PFF grade. For a rookie tackle playing 1,066 snaps, that is elite. Most rookies at that position get eaten alive for the first ten weeks.
A Tale of Two Phases
It's interesting to look at the split. Banks was drafted as a pass protector, but his run blocking was actually his highest-ranked PFF metric for much of the season.
- Run Blocking Grade: 76.2 (Ranked 19th among all tackles)
- Pass Blocking Grade: 70.0 (Ranked 41st among all tackles)
- Impact-Block Rate: 11.4% (2nd among rookie tackles)
He was a "mauler" in the zone scheme. Kellen Moore’s offense leaned on his ability to get to the second level. He wasn't just holding his ground; he was moving people. In zone schemes specifically, he earned an 81.2 grade. That’s veteran-level production.
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The Weak Spots Nobody Wants to Talk About
Look, it wasn't a perfect season. You can’t ignore the penalties. Banks was flagged 11 times in 2025. That ranked him near the bottom of the league (80th out of 89 qualifying tackles).
He also struggled at times with "catch-and-ride" tendencies. This happens when a tackle relies too much on their anchor and lets the defender get into their chest. When he got impatient, he’d lunge. That led to 5 sacks allowed and 46 total pressures.
Is that bad? Not really. It's growing pains.
What’s Next for Kelvin Banks Jr.?
The Saints have their cornerstone. Even with a late-season ankle injury in Week 18, the long-term outlook is bright. Banks proved he isn't a guard. He’s a left tackle. Period.
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If you're watching his development, keep an eye on his hand placement. When his hands stay inside, he’s unbeatable. When they wander—which they did in his sophomore and junior years at Texas—the flags start flying.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Refine the Punch: Banks needs to minimize the lunging that leads to those 46 pressures.
- Discipline Training: Cutting those 11 penalties in half would vault him into the top-10 tackle conversation.
- Health Recovery: Coming off the ankle roll-up, his lateral movement in the 2026 preseason will be the first thing scouts check.
He’s already one of the top 25 rookies from his class. Now, he just needs to prove he can stay there.