Tag: Kelvin Banks

3 Guards the Seahawks could target at No. 18 overall in 2025 NFL Draft

3 Guards the Seahawks could target at No. 18 overall in 2025 NFL Draft

The Seattle Seahawks need to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, particularly across the interior. Veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson played poorly on an expiring contract and isn’t expected to return. Connor Williams abruptly retired midseason and sophomore blocker Olu Oluwatimi was unexpectedly inserted into the lineup at center. The right guard position was arguably worse of all, with three rookies and sophomores (Anthony Bradford, Sataoa Luamea, and Christian Haynes) all failing to maximize opportunities.

John Schneider must acquire a guard capable of playing high-level football right away this offseason. The Seahawks own the No. 18 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Guard should be their highest offseason priority. We’ve identified three interior blockers they could potentially target with that pick.

Will Campbell, LSU

Will Campbell played offensive tackle for the LSU Tigers, but many scouts and analysts are projecting him to play guard at the next level. The Seahawks are tasked with assessing his positional versatility throughout this process. If the conclusion is that Campbell is better positioned for success at the guard, the Seahawks should feel comfortable drafting him at 18.

Tyler Booker, Alabama

Tyler Booker may be the most natural first-round guard available. With no questions over his future position, Booker has been a highly effective phone-booth blocker for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He overwhelms opponents with raw power and strength. Considering power has been an issue for the Seahawks’ guards in pass protection, this would represent a welcomed change of pace.

Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

Kelvin Banks Jr. is another first-round prospect facing positional questions. The Texas Longhorns tackle may be a better fit to block on the interior due to questionable foot speed and balance issues. If Banks Jr. plays guard, he’d represent a better option than current in-house candidates Bradford and Laumea.

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New 2-round mock draft has Cardinals bolstering O-line, D-line

A new Draft Wire mock draft has the Cardinals taking an O-lineman in Round 1 and a D-lineman in Round 2. Find out who!

The Arizona Cardinals have a number of needs they should address in the 2025 NFL draft. Their biggest need is at outside linebacker for a premier pass rusher.

However, with other needs and depending on how the actual draft plays out, that might not be the position that is best when they make their selection with the 16th overall pick.

In a new two-round mock draft from Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy, the Cardinals don’t land an edge rusher. They end up with an offensive lineman in the first round and a defensive lineman in the second.

In Round 1, they get Texas tackle Kelvin Banks. A tackle isn’t a bad idea because Jonah Williams missed so many games last season, Kelvin Beachum is scheduled to be a free agent and their other option is 2024 fifth-round pick Christian Jones.

Banks protected Quinn Ewers in the SEC last season. Even of the Cardinals keep Williams for another season, they could have Banks even play guard as a rookie.

In the second round, these projections have the Cardinals selecting South Carolina defensive lineman T.J. Sanders.

He is 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds. He had 8.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss over the last two seasons.

The Cardinals drafted defensive lineman Darius Robinson in the first round last year and signed Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones to three-year deals in free agency last year, but adding to the defensive line wouldn’t be a bad thing. It is one of their more pressing needs because all their depth is scheduled to be free agents.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Texans lands All-American OT in CBS Sports latest mock draft

The Houston Texans could shore up their offensive line by bringing in a familiar face from the Lone Star State.

Right tackle or left guard?

Left guard or right tackle?

That seems to be the consensus two positions in play for the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft by most pundits when on the clock at pick No. 25.

Overall, the ideal option would be to target a prospect who can thrive in both roles from the start. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso has Houston doing just that with the addition of Texas All-American offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr.

” The Texans simply need more offensive line talent up front to better protect C.J. Stroud,” Trappasso wrote. “Kelvin Banks Jr. had a fantastic season in pass protection for the Longhorns.”

Banks has been a staple of the Longhorns’ run to the postseason in back-to-back years. A three-year starter and Houston native, the 6-foot-6 tackle allowed four sacks, four QB hits and 26 hurries in over 2,400 snaps played.

While the Texans would love Banks’ upside in pass protection, his run blocking could be a selling point. Houston has Pro Bowler Joe Mixon locked up for three seasons and plans to make him the focal runner of the offense.

Banks thrived in run blocking as the lead outside leverage man while protecting future NFL running backs Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks. Per Pro Football Focus metrics, he posted an 81.0 career run-blocking grade while in Austin.

Banks would instantly upgrade on paper Texans’ pass blocking from mediocre to at least average entering 2025. Some view Banks to be better suited at guard, so Houston could have a competition on where players line up on the right side next fall.

Houston, which fell short in a 24-13 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, allowed eight sacks against C.J. Stroud. Something must change on the offensive line if the team plans on taking the next step forward.

Losing to Kansas City might not be too bad should Buffalo secure a win while the Texans land Banks as a consolation prize. 

49ers gamble on undersized OL in Mel Kiper mock draft

Could the 49ers find their left tackle heir apparent in the 2025 NFL draft?

In his initial 2025 first-round NFL mock draft, esteemed ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. projects San Francisco to address the offensive side of the football.

Kiper’s initial projection sees the 49ers scooping up talented Texas Longhorns offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the No. 11 pick.

Banks just completed his junior season with Texas where he was recognized with both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. A native of Humble, Texas, Banks is projected as Kiper’s second offensive lineman to come off the board.

Kiper’s lone hangup with Banks is how he might measure at the combine.

Banks has a ton of experience, having started 42 games over his college career — and he allowed only three sacks over that time. I’m curious to see his combine measurements — height might be a question mark if he’s 6-3 or shorter — but he has the movement traits and strength to seal off the edge in pass protection.

The 49ers still have Trent Williams locking down the left side for two more seasons, but he will be 37 at the start of next season. It’s time to start planning for the future. Plus, Banks could help on the right side for now, where the Niners have missed Mike McGlinchey (signed with Denver two years ago). – Kiper, ESPN.

Banks arrived in Austin with lofty expectations. Out of Summer Creek High School, Banks was a five-star signee and was ranked as the No. 6 player nationally according to On3 in the 2022 signing class.

Banks met and exceeded those forecasts, becoming the trustiest of security blankets for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers’ blind side.

As the 49ers look toward their future, drafting Banks could mean that San Francisco found its heir apparent to longtime superstar left tackle Trent Williams.

Williams is under contract for the next two seasons and the indication is that the All-Pro intends to play.

Still, the 49ers need to start making plans for life after Williams. Plus, Williams is coming off a 2024 season where he played in just 10 games as an ankle injury lingered over the back half of the year.

Drafting Banks would allow the 49ers to play him at right tackle alongside Williams. If Banks looks like a potential All-Pro during his first two seasons in the league, that might give the franchise the confidence to shift him over to left tackle as Williams’ eventual successor.

Or, Banks just locks in at right tackle long-term.

San Francisco really can’t go wrong upgrading its offensive or defensive lines and Banks looks like he has the makings of a franchise left tackle down the road.

Per Pro Football Focus, Banks allowed just 10 pressures this past season and he finished with an 86.0 offensive grade, which was tops among Texas’ offensive starters.

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Seahawks double down on trenches in latest 2-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Seahawks double down on trenches in latest 2-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released a two-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft on Wednesday morning. Brugler is one of the more plugged-in draft analysts in the space, so his mock drafts rightfully capture a ton of attention, as they’re often based on conversations with sources around the league.

In the first round, Brugler has the Seattle Seahawks drafting Texas offensive linemen Kelvin Banks Jr. with the No. 18 overall selection.

“There are plenty of differing opinions around the league on Banks,” Brugler writes. “Some see him as a tackle; others as a guard. Some think he could sneak into the top 15; others see more of a late first-rounder. The Seahawks’ issues on the offensive line extend beyond their personnel, but Banks has “quality starter” written all over him and would help stabilize things.”

It’s interesting to hear Brugler say Seattle’s issues on the offensive line “extend beyond the personnel.” That indicates there’s coaching/management issues as well. It’s worth noting Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is searching for a new offensive coordinator after firing Ryan Grubb. If the Seahawks view Banks as an interior blocker, he’d be plug-and-play at either guard position. If he’s a tackle, he could push the oft-injured Abe Lucas at right tackle.

Brugler then has the Seahawks taking Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Deone Walker in the second round at No. 50 overall. Walker entered the 2024 season as a potential first-round pick, but failed to meet expectations by recording just 1.5 sacks in 10 appearances. It’s worth noting the Seahawks drafted Byron Murphy II last year, who plays the same position. Jarran Reed and Johnathan Hankins are scheduled for free agency, potentially creating another need at defensive tackle.

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PFF believes 49ers should prioritize OL 1st in 2025 NFL draft

The Texas star offensive tackle was voted a unanimous All-American and named to the All-SEC First Team.

While eight teams are still alive in the NFL postseason, the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason is already in full swing. With no playoff appearance on the docket for the first time in three years, the 49ers will get a jumpstart in preparing for the 2025 edition of the NFL draft.

With draft season underway and a flurry of mock drafts predicting what the 49ers will do in April, Pro Football Focus recently released their “Team Needs Tracker” for each team in the NFL. When it came to the 49ers, PFF listed guard, offensive tackle, interior defensive line and edge rusher as team needs.

PFF also listed a potential option for the 49ers in the 2025 draft. Texas star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks was penned to the 49ers by PFF.

Via PFF:

A down season sees the 49ers with a top-15 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, and that would give them the opportunity to bolster their offensive line. Banks was elite as a pass blocker in 2024, allowing just four total pressures on 143 true pass sets.

Read the full list of team needs via PFF here.

The 6-foot-4 offensive tackle earned an 86 overall grade in 15 games for the Longhorns in 2024. Banks allowed only one sack in 935 snaps in his final season in Austin.

In 2024, Banks won the Outland Trophy for the best interior lineman in the college football along with winning the Lombardi Trophy for best offensive lineman in the country. Banks was a unanimous All-American and named to the All-SEC first team.

The 49ers are set to hit the clock at No. 11 in the first round of the NFL Draft in April. The first round is set for April 24 in Green Bay.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Texas Longhorns LT Kelvin Banks declares for NFL Draft

The standout left tackle announced his commitment to the NFL Draft on Sunday. He leaves Texas after three seasons and back-to-back CFP runs.

Kelvin Banks, the standout unanimous All-American junior left tackle for the Texas Longhorns, is heading to the NFL Draft after a stellar collegiate career that included two consecutive trips to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Known for his dominance on the offensive line, Banks started and played in 42 games during his time at Texas.

In 2024, Banks’s achievements earned him national recognition. He was named the Lombardi Award winner, honoring the nation’s best lineman, and claimed the prestigious Outland Trophy, awarded annually to the top interior lineman in college football. Banks also played a key role in Texas being named a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, which recognizes the best offensive line unit in the nation.

Banks’s stellar play in the 2024 campaign included earning SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors twice (September 30 and October 14) and being named the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week on October 15. His consistency and leadership on the line were pivotal in Texas’s success, even as he missed the SEC Championship due to injury.

Despite the setback, Banks’s impact was felt throughout the season. He anchored a line that allowed two Texas running backs to surpass 100 rushing yards in a game while helping the Longhorns amass 292 rushing yards and 202 passing yards in key matchups. His return in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl CFP Quarterfinal was a game-changer, as Texas defeated Arizona State 38-28. Banks provided protection that allowed QB Quinn Ewers to throw for a season-high 322 yards and three touchdowns, as the offense averaged 6.2 yards per play.

Banks is projected to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, according to the latest USA TODAY projections, and is expected to be a top-10 pick.

Dolphins’ top 2025 draft prospects: Texas OL Kelvin Banks, Jr

Kelvin Banks Jr on the board at No. 13 overall may be the best case scenario for the Dolphins.

Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr could easily be considered a top 10 prospect. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the top-tier offensive lineman slipped down the board and was available to the Miami Dolphins at No. 13 overall.

Banks could play either side at the tackle position, and could even excel as a guard at the pro level. His athleticism could be a key factor in moving to the interior, as he can get out in space and block at the next level in the running game and on screen passes.

While he is a very sound pass-protector, he has less than ideal size for an NFL tackle, including arm length concerns. A move to guard could maximize his strengths and allow him to get around a slightly smaller build than a prototypical pro tackle.

Position: OL
Projected round: 1st
Height: 6’4
Weight: 320

Fit for Miami

Selecting Banks could create opportunities for the Dolphins to tinker with their offensive line in many ways. While it remains to be seen what will happen with veteran left tackle Terron Armstead, who has pondered retirement in recent years, Miami has another pair of tackles in Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson.

If Paul takes the left tackle reigns in 2025, Jackson could be penciled into the right tackle spot with Banks at one of the guard openings. But also, Jackson has guard experience, so the Dolphins could opt to play Banks as a tackle.

If Banks was the pick for Miami, four spots on the Dolphins offensive line would be set for the foreseeable future with Paul at left tackle, some combination of Jackson and Banks on the opposite side, and center Aaron Brewer. That would leave just the left guard spot to focus on, which Miami could even address in free agency.

Bottom line

The Dolphins have several impending free agents on the offensive line, including left guard Isaiah Wynn and fellow interior linemen Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg. Also due to become a free agent is swing tackle Kendall Lamm, who has also hinted at retirement.

Miami general manager Chris Grier needs to make good on his promise to invest in the offensive line and Banks would be a great start. It could leave the Dolphins one pick away from a solidified offensive line that would have finally have some consistency and continuity, for a change.

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49ers prioritize offense in 1st round of 2025 mock draft

In The 33rd Team’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft, the San Francisco 49ers prioritize offense.

In its latest 2025 NFL mock draft, The 33rd Team likes San Francisco to prioritize the offensive side of the football with the No. 11 overall selection.

In The 33rd Team’s latest mock, the 49ers scoop up All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. from the Texas Longhorns. A former five-star signee, Banks just completed his junior season with the Longhorns after Ohio State topped Texas in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Though Banks has yet to declare for the 2025 NFL draft, he is a surefire first-round selection if he does.

Banks could make a lot of sense for San Francisco at No. 11 if he is available there.

The 49ers could draft Banks and have him sit behind and learn from All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. Shifting Banks to right tackle could be an option as well, but he would certainly be viewed as the long-term heir apparent to Williams at left tackle.

The 49ers would probably like a bit of insurance and extra depth at left tackle, too. Williams played in just 10 games during an injury-plagued 2024 campaign and is set to enter his age-37 season.

Banks signed with Texas out of Summer Creek High School in Humble, Texas, and was rated as the nation’s No. 30 player overall, as the No. 3 offensive tackle and as the No. 7 player from Texas per 247Sports in the 2022 signing class.

The 6-foot-4, 320 pound offensive tackle has met those lofty expectations with flying colors as he quickly morphed into the anchor along the offensive line for Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Per Pro Football Focus, Banks registered an overall offensive grade of 86.0 during the 2024 season, which was tops among Texas’ offensive starters. Banks earned an 89.8 pass blocking grade and an 81.0 run blocking grade.

According to The 33rd Team’s mock, Banks would be the second offensive tackle to come off the board. Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons is forecasted to go one pick earlier to the Chicago Bears at No. 10.

The 33rd Team’s current projected top five selections are Miami quarterback Cam Ward No. 1 to Tennessee, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter No. 2 to Cleveland, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders No. 3 to the New York Giants, Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter No. 4 to New England and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson No. 5 to Jacksonville.

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Texans upgrade offensive and defensive trenches in new 2-round mock draft

The Houston Texans shore up both sides of the offensive line in the latest mock draft from Draft on Draft.

The Houston Texans’ sights are set on the AFC postseason, but it’s never too early to look at the NFL Draft.

Daft on Draft is always looking toward the three-day weekend in April. They recently published a full two-round mock draft and had the Texans address both sides of the trenches with their selections.

Since Houston has the worst record among playoff teams, it selects at No. 20. With the pick; the Texnans shore up their interior offensive line with the selection of Texas All-American offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.

“Many project Kelvin Banks Jr. as a guard at the next level, myself included,” Cory Kinnan wrote. “The Texans have leaked along the interior of their offensive line all season. The Outland Award winner helps with that immediately.”

Kinnan is right. Houston must upgrade off both the left and right guard position after lackluster play from Shaq Mason and a myriad of players at left guard. The Texans could shift Tytus Howard permanently to left guard, thus allowing rookie Blake Fisher to take over full-time at right tackle.

Get to know Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr.

Banks is a blue-chip player and a top-five offensive lineman prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. While the Texans may need a defensive line help, they are not in the position to reach for an option that could be available in the second round.

A three-year starter, Banks has been the anchor of Steve Sarkisian’s offensive line amid a change from the Big 12 to the SEC. In three years, the Outland Trophy winner has allowed four sacks, 25 pressures and three quarterback hits.

Banks’ 89.1 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranked second among all FBS offensive tackles, trailing only West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum.

Taking the best player available at the top of the draft is Houston’s best option, which would be the right call with Banks’ selection. If LSU’s Will Campbell was on the board, you could make a case that he’s a better fit, but Draft on Draft has him landing in Chicago with the No. 9 overall pick.

Get to know Kentucky DL Deone Walker

With the 54th overall pick, Houston targets a three-down defensive tackle and former All-American in Walker. Despite an underwhelming season for the Wildcats, the 6-foot-6 defensive tackle totaled four sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

In Houston, the Texans could rotate Walker behind Tim Settle and whoever they plan to bring in as a short-term replacement on a one-year deal. Walker’s arrival would sense a change for the foreseeable future in the trenches.

Why this mock draft makes sense for the Texans

Houston needs stability in its trenches. Keep in mind that entering 2024, the Texans had the most expensive offensive line in the league, which failed to meet expectations keeping C.J. Stroud upright.

The Texans also need long-term stability at defensive tackle. Houston’s comes with the team-friendly, cheap one-year deals at the spot for three seasons. Walker’s addition doesn’t mean Houston won’t bring in another veteran, but it would give the AFC South champions a long-term answer up the middle for run support.