We have reached the point in the New York Jets pre-draft process where rumors and reports have traveled so much, not a single person knows what is true anymore.
New York has many needs all across the roster. From major questions in the trenches, to skill players in dire need of an upgrade, the Jets can go in a number of different directions.
But as the pre-draft process continues, there’s a sense of deja vu of sorts for the Jets moving forward into Thursday.
Jets’ Prior Offensive Line Runs
When the pre-draft process began in 2024, the prevailing theory amongst most organizations and scouts was that the top two tackles in the draft class were Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame’s Joe Alt.
Once that process got into the weeds, though, Alabama tackle JC Latham climbed all the way up past Fashanu to be picked second among the position. That was fine for the Jets; they ended up with the better prospect in Fashanu anyway.
That same process seems to be happening again in the week leading up to the 2025 draft.
Tackles Will Campbell and Armand Membou were the top names at the tackle position throughout the pre-draft process. New York has had many mock drafts tying them to Membou specifically over the last few months.
Now, a new name is coming into the fray.
Texas tackle Kelvin Banks.
Banks’ name has been drawn into the top 10, with many teams projected to have interest.
One of those is the Jets. Several more recent mock drafts have tied New York to the Texas product. Daniel Jeremiah, one of the league’s top draft analysts, has made it clear that Banks would be a quality offensive line prospect for whoever drafted him.
“Banks is a thick, sturdy left tackle,” Jeremiah wrote. “In pass protection, he launches out of his stance and shows the ability to sink and bend his knees. He keeps his hands inside and is patient with his punch. When he struggles, it’s because he sets up too deep or his feet settle too early. Both of those areas can be cleaned up.”
Is this a similar case to Latham eventually jumping over Fashanu within the top seven picks? Or is there a legitimate claim to Banks suddenly being the selection for the Jets if Membou is taken earlier in the draft?
In reality, it doesn’t matter if the Jets take Membou or Banks. They need to fill out the final needs across the offensive line, and either player has the skill set to be plug-and-play starters at the most important positions on the offense outside the quarterback role.
Banks or Membou would solve an immediate need for the Jets right away. That alone will be good enough moving forward.
At the very least, all the rumors and reports will eventually come to an end rather shortly.
Just 48 hours to go.
