ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has shocking player at position of need fall to Chiefs in latest first-round NFL draft predictions
Could the Kansas City Chiefs still add to the offensive tackle position in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft? That's what ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. is predicting with just over a month to go until draft night. In his latest first-round predictions, the veteran draft expert has Texas LT Kelvin Banks Jr. falling down to […]
Could the Kansas City Chiefs still add to the offensive tackle position in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft?
That's what ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. is predicting with just over a month to go until draft night. In his latest first-round predictions, the veteran draft expert has Texas LT Kelvin Banks Jr. falling down to Kansas City a pick No. 31.
Here's a look at what he had to say about the pick:
This could easily be Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr., who is right behind Banks on my offensive tackle rankings and a potential first-rounder. Honestly, either player would be a good pick. The Chiefs' pass protection issues were on full display during the Super Bowl, and signing Jaylon Moore — a backup in San Francisco before getting a two-year deal with the Chiefs — is no guarantee to solve anything. Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia and D.J. Humphries weren't the answers, and Joe Thuney — who was a stopgap fix in moving outside from guard — is now in Chicago.
Banks has the traits to help fortify Patrick Mahomes' protection. Perhaps Banks wins the left tackle job over Moore. Maybe he replaces Jawaan Taylor on the right side. And maybe he even kicks inside to Thuney's vacated guard spot. Regardless of where he plays, Banks' experience (42 college starts), quickness and power would be welcomed in Kansas City. – ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr.
Is this actually realistic, though? Banks Jr. lacks elite physical traits (average size and arm length), but he's a talented athlete. He's been widely regarded as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in this class. It would actually be less shocking if he were the first player drafted at the offensive tackle position than if he were available at pick No. 31. A to Z Sports' own Joe DeLeone and Ryan Roberts believe he's the best tackle in the entire draft class.
Is Texas LT Kelvin Banks Jr. a legitimate option for the Chiefs at pick No. 31?
Every year, draftniks fall for the same trap of undervaluing the offensive tackle position. You'd think that as long as Kiper Jr. has been doing this, he'd wise up to the positional value trends in the league. No offensive tackle is selected in the top 10 picks in this particular mock draft. If that happened in real life, it'd be the first time since the 2019 NFL draft that an offensive tackle hasn't been selected in the first ten picks.
Mizzou's Armand Membou is the first offensive tackle to go at pick No. 11 to the San Francisco 49ers. LSU's Will Campbell is next at No. 13 to the Miami Dolphins. The next offensive tackle doesn't go until pick No. 25 when the Houston Texans take Ohio State's Josh Simmons. Banks then lands in Kansas City at Pick No. 31.
The A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft database has Banks' early pick range at No. 6, his median pick range at No. 13, and his late pick range at No. 27. That late range would probably put the Chiefs in position to trade up, but is that something they're willing to do after investing in Jaylon Moore in free agency?
I do not doubt that the Chiefs would be interested in the player. He's draft-crush certified in my book. He's experienced, and his tape doesn't show many flaws in his game, whether it's the limited pressures he's allowed or his prowess as a run blocker. Brett Veach needs to keep firing at the offensive tackle position in the draft, but it feels like landing Banks is no more than wishful thinking.
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