- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 441,999
- Reaction score
- 44
The New Orleans Saints took Texas football left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with the ninth pick of the first round of the NFL draft Thursday.
It ended monthslong speculation about where the Lombardi-Outland winner would go.
In the days leading up to the draft, Banks, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound First-Team All-American who won the Lombardi and Outland awards his junior year, was projected anywhere from the ninth to 25 pick which may have been partly due to talk of some teams believing he might fit better long term as a guard rather than a tackle.
“I don’t get it,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said when asked about the uncertainty surrounding Banks’ position.
Banks looks, plays and carries himself like a left tackle. He passes the eye test, then some.
Banks is the first Texas tackle taken in the first round since 2002 when the Buffalo Bills tabbed Mike Williams with the fourth overall pick.
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.
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.
Longtime ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had rated Banked the No. 10 prospect overall, regardless of position, and top tackle on his big board. But Banks slid down a bit in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Here is where other media members and draft services had him projected.
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
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'
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
Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas OT, goes to Saints with 9th pick
Continue reading...
It ended monthslong speculation about where the Lombardi-Outland winner would go.
In the days leading up to the draft, Banks, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound First-Team All-American who won the Lombardi and Outland awards his junior year, was projected anywhere from the ninth to 25 pick which may have been partly due to talk of some teams believing he might fit better long term as a guard rather than a tackle.
“I don’t get it,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said when asked about the uncertainty surrounding Banks’ position.
You must be registered for see images attach
Kelvin Banks NFL scouting report: How NFL sees the former Texas tackle
Banks looks, plays and carries himself like a left tackle. He passes the eye test, then some.
Banks is the first Texas tackle taken in the first round since 2002 when the Buffalo Bills tabbed Mike Williams with the fourth overall pick.
How analysts see him
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.
A starter from Day 1 at Texas
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.
Kelvin Banks Jr. draft projections
Longtime ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. had rated Banked the No. 10 prospect overall, regardless of position, and top tackle on his big board. But Banks slid down a bit in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Here is where other media members and draft services had him projected.
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'
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
Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas OT, goes to Saints with 9th pick
Continue reading...
