The New Orleans Saints’ first-round selection from 2025 had an impressive showing during his rookie year, immediately stepping into the role as the team’s starting left tackle. Now, Kelvin Banks Jr. is looking to take the next step after focusing on consistency over the offseason.
When asked what he dedicated his attention to over the offseason, Banks quickly identified the principle of consistency.
But that level of consistency takes a more granular form than expected. What Banks references isn’t just the idea of being consistent from a wins and losses perspective. Instead, he highlights a more detailed method to how he approaches each and every play.
“Giving different looks in my set,” he said. “I feel like I (had a) pretty good all-around season … Working on my consistency, making sure everything looks the same. I take every set exactly the same as I took the first set when I wasn’t tired.”
The regularity that Banks is highlighting is much more higher-level thinking than simply wanting to win every rep. He’s focused on how he can achieve that.
The “set” is typically referring to the footwork, and body control, of an offensive lineman at the point of the snap. The transition from pre-snap stance to run or pass protection is key, a quick transition that can be laden with bumps as well.
What Banks is focused on is cleaning up some of those potential indicators and giving defenses the same look from the first snap to the last throughout a game.
For a second-year player, Banks has often been credited as being a bit ahead of his time. This is the latest display of that evaluation from the mental side of the game.
