Kelvin Banks Jr. draft projections: NFL mock drafts, updated rankings for Texas OL

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The NFL draft is a little more than 24 hours away and Texas football is set to unleash a bevy of picks onto the league.

Perhaps the first of up to a dozen or more Longhorns to be drafted will be decorated offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Banks Jr., a unanimous first-team All-American, still seems like a lock to be picked on the first day of the NFL draft, now the only question is how long will he wait.

Once seen a top-10 pick, experts vary in their predictions, with some seeing Banks falling as late as the early 30s. Yes, Banks has slid down a couple draft boards — going from the unanimous pick for the first tackle to be taken in the draft, to jockeying with LSU's Will Campbell and Missouri's Armand Membou for that claim. But if you want to hear his name called at Thursday's NFL draft, I suggest you don’t tune in too late.

Banks had a 5.16-second 40-yard dash at the combine, which is a middling time for this year's class. His 20-yard shuttle time of 4.66 seconds placed a bit higher within the tackle group. He could be the first Longhorn at his position to go in the first round since Mike Williams went with the second overall pick to Buffalo in 2002.

Banks was inserted into the lineup from the day he arrived from Humble Summer Creek. He started 39 consecutive games before an ankle injury incurred at Texas A&M on Thanksgiving weekend sidelined him for the SEC championship game loss to Georgia.

This season, he became the first player in program history to win both the Outland and Lombardi awards in the same season.

Here's what to know about the standout Longhorn and how draft experts view his transition to the NFL:

Kelvin Banks Jr. draft projections​


Jordan Reid, ESPN: No. 11 to the San Francisco 49ers

Field Yates, ESPN: No. 11 to the 49ers

Matt Miller, ESPN: No. 23 to the Green Bay Packers

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: No. 10 to the Chicago Bears

Jeff Risdon, Draft Wire: No. 31 to the Kansas City Chiefs

Dane Brugler, The Athletic: No. 27 to the Baltimore Ravens

Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports: No. 10 to the Bears

Pro Football Network: No. 13 to the Miami Dolphins

Tankathon: No. 11 to the 49ers

Pro Football Focus: No. 17 to the Cincinnati Bengals

Ryan Wilson, CBS: No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints

Chris Trapasso, CBS: No. 18 to the Seahawks

Mike Renner, CBS: No. 13 to the Miami Dolphins

Josh Edwards, CBS: No. 13 to the Dolphins

MORE CEDDY: Andrew Mukuba, Texas football's enforcer, relishes Clemson reunion | Golden

Kelvin Banks Jr. bio​


Position: Offensive left tackle

Age: 21

Hometown: Humble

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 325 pounds

MORE BANKS: Why Texas football star LT Kelvin Banks Jr. should 'drive the Lambo'

MORE DRAFT: NFL scouting report for Texas A&M DE Nic Scourton

Kelvin Banks Jr. positional rankings​


Longtime ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had rated Banks the No. 10 prospect overall, regardless of position, and top tackle on his big board. But Banks has since slid down a bit. He's still seen as a consensus top-three offensive tackle in the draft.

Here's where various scouting analysts and services rank Banks:

Kiper: No. 13 prospect overall, No. 3 OT

Jordan Reid, ESPN: No. 20 overall, No. 3 OT

Matt Miller, ESPN: No. 8 overall, No. 1 OT

Field Yates, ESPN: No. 13 overall, No. 2 OT

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: No. 10 overall, No. 3 OT

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: No. 27 overall, No. 3 OT

Dane Brugler, The Athletic: No. 15 overall, No. 2 WR

PFF: No. 22 prospect overall, No. 4 OT

CBS: No. 9 prospect overall, No. 3 OT

Kelvin Banks Jr. draft profile​


Banks did not complete all pre-draft workouts and drills.

Arm length: 33½ inches

Hand Size: 10⅜ inches

40-yard dash: 5.16 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.66 seconds

10-yard split: 1.79 seconds

Three-cone drill: 7.81 seconds

Broad jump: 8 feet, 8 inches

Vertical: 32 inches

Bench press: N/A

Notes: Lombardi Award winner in 2024... allowed just three sacks through his first 37 games... Tabbed as an All-American by several different outlets... Was a consensus top-10 tackle prospect in the nation coming out of high school... Blocked for NFL running backs such as Jonathon Brooks and Bijan Robinson.

Kelvin Banks Jr. scouting report​


Strengths: Great athleticism, particularly lateral movement in pass protection. Exceptional range as a blocker translates well to a zone scheme. Good hand usage allows him to win one-on-one matchups. Fluid mover who reacts well to counter moves.

Weaknesses: Balance in run blocking. Sometimes overextends at the point of contact. Struggles to maintain his base in pass protection by turning his shoulders. Needs to improve upper body strength.

What Cedric Golden noticed: Banks can go a whole game without getting mentioned because he is so consistent at stoning opposing defensive ends. His athleticism leaps off the screen. Scouts are even more excited because he carries a frame that will occupy more muscle as he matures. Banks is a nice guy, but there’s a dog behind that megawatt smile. He takes it personally when someone in an opposing uniform touches his quarterback. He understands the job and his own toughest critic. That will serve him well at the next level.

NFL player comps: Austin Jackson, Miami Dolphins

Kelvin Banks Jr. stats by season​


2022: 13 games

2023: 14 games, 985 snaps (550 pass-block snaps), 1 sack allowed, 10 QB hurries allowed (per Pro Football Focus)

2024: 15 games, 935 snaps (537 pass-block snaps), 1 sack allowed, 7 QB hurries allowed

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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Kelvin Banks Jr. scouting report: Where OT lands in NFL mock drafts

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