According to one reporter, Missouri’s Armand Membou and LSU’s Will Campbell aren’t the only two offensive linemen the New York Jets could potentially select with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, standout Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. could be a potential first-round target for first-year general manager Darren Mougey if Membou is off the board when the Jets select at No. 7 overall.
“The popular mock draft choice for the Jets at seventh overall is Missouri right tackle Armand Membou, whose stock has risen since an impressive combine performance,” wrote Cimini. “But what if Membou is off the board? There’s a chance he could be picked No. 6 by the Las Vegas Raiders.
“In that case, the Jets could opt for Penn State tight end Tyler Warren or Texas tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. — a name that hasn’t garnered much buzz in the top 10,” the veteran writer added.
Cimini also pointed out that Banks and head coach Aaron Glenn grew up in the same town: Humble, Texas.
A highly touted five-star recruit hailing from Summer Creek High School, Banks initially committed to Oregon before switching his decision to Texas.
The Texas native ultimately spent all three of his collegiate seasons serving as the Longhorns’ starting left tackle, allowing only three total sacks throughout his 42 games in Austin.
In 2024, Banks was stellar as both a run-blocker and pass-blocker, earning an 81.0 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus and an even more impressive 89.9 pass-blocking grade. His breakout season prompted him to earn unanimous All-American honors, while taking home the Jacobs Blocking trophy and the Lombardi trophy.
Ranked No. 13 overall on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus big board, Banks could be an option for the Jets at No. 7 or later if Mougey decides to trade down and pick up additional draft capital.
The challenge with Banks’ fit in New York is that he has played exclusively at left tackle throughout his college career. The Jets already have their blindside protector in Olu Fashanu and are looking to fill the hole at right tackle.
While the 21-year-old isn’t seen as the consensus choice for Gang Green at No. 7, he could emerge as a Plan B if Mougey is intent on solidifying the offensive line and Membou is off the board, or if a trade-down scenario presents an opportunity to beef up the trenches.
