The New Orleans Saints continued a long-held trend, landing Texas OT Kelvin Banks at No. 9 overall.
The pick marks the 6th consecutive season the Saints have landed an offensive or defensive tackle in the first round of the draft. The Saints have landed a lineman with either a first-round pick or their first overall pick in every draft since 2015.
Banks started 42 games at left tackle for Texas, including 15 in 2024 on a Longhorns OL that was named a finalist for the Joe Moore award granted to the top group in the nation. He won the 2024 Outland award given to the nation's top lineman and was a first-team All American.
The pick represents one of the first true steps into the Kellen Moore head coaching era, one of nine total picks held by the Saints in the 2025 draft. The next questions to answer will be the plans for OT Trevor Penning, who started 17 games at right tackle in 2024. The Saints could also look to potentially move 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga to back to his natural right tackle spot after shifting him to left tackle a year ago.
No. 9 represents the highest Saints selections since they picked No. 2 overall in 2006.
Picks prior to Saints:
- 1. Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
- 2. Jaguars: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
- 3. Giants: Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
- 4. Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
- 5. Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
- 6. Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise Stateds
- 7. Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
- 8. Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Saints are seeking a return to prominence after four consecutive seasons outside of the postseason, coinciding with the retirement of Drew Brees following the 2020 season. The Saints have long been linked to the QB class this year, but they opted not to address that position with their first pick.
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The Saints and a host of other teams are expected to be in the mix to potentially trade up for a quarterback later in the draft.