Very few players are more important to an NFL roster than the blindside offensive tackle. The high-profile position is a demanding one, tasked with protecting the quarterback’s most vulnerable side while facing premier edge rusher talent each and every week.
That’s why New Orleans Saints’ left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.‘s rookie season in 2025 was so impressive. While he as credited with allowing five sacks his rookie season by Pro Football Focus, context matters.
He’s credited as surrendering just two of those sacks after the team’s offensive shift beginning in Week 9, when quarterback Tyler Shough was named the starter with only 17 of his 46 pressures were surrendered during that span as well.
He continued to get better as the season progressed, exactly as you’d hope from a rookie that was left on an island (no double teams or chips from offensive teammates) more than any other tackle in the NFL.
Now, he enters 2026 as one of the team’s most important players on the roster.
Already strong as a run blocker, Banks will be asked to continue his upward trajectory as a pass protector while, in all likelihood, receiving even less help than he did during his inaugural season.
New Orleans will be relying on the second-year tackle to keep right-handed quarterback Tyler Shough clean while continuing to find success in the run game.
The more he can keep the pressure off of Shough and less the way for the rushing attack around the left end (where New Orleans averaged 5.2 yards per carry last year), the more success the team will have as a whole.
For one player, that’s a large task. Banks, however, proved he can handle the pressure during his rookie year. With an actual offseason and another training camp under his belt, expectations are high for the young protector.
