Kelvin Banks Jr.’s second-year develop integral to Saints’ success

Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

Heading into the New Orleans Saints’ 2026 regular season, a lot of eyes will be on the continued development and playmaking of quarterback Tyler Shough. For good reason. The quarterback has helped to revitalize optimism around the franchise and has helped to put the team back on an upward trajectory along with the team’s recent big changes on the coaching staff and roster.

However, another second-year player that will be pivotal to the team’s ability to compete in 2026 is the player taken by the Saints one round ahead of Shough, offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.

Banks was the team’s No. 9 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and started all 17 games at one of the league’s most important positions, the blindside tackle.

The only extended time that Banks missed during his inaugural season came during the Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. He left with an ankle injury in the season finale, but head coach Kellen Moore quickly announced after the game that there were no long-term concerns.

That’s proven true so far this offseason, as Banks has been spotted in numerous photos from the team’s social media platforms that were taken during offseason workouts.

Banks was the tackle that left in more one-on-one situations than any tackle in the NFL last year. That’s a lot of trust to place in a rookie player. But the former Texas Longhorn earned both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy during his final collegiate season, garnering recognition as the nation’s best offensive lineman and lineman regardless of what side of the ball.

Now, going into his second year, the Saints could be on their way to returning to competitive standards that match the expectations the franchise has built in a distancing history. One major key to that success comes from Banks’ continued development. He was impressive during his rookie season, allowing just two of his five total sacks and 18 of his 46 total pressures over the final nine games of the season.

If Banks can keep up that momentum headed in the right direction, he will be a cornerstone to the team’s success in 2026.