KELVIN BANKS JR. 2025 SEASON ANALYSIS
New Orleans Saints tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was the Saints' first-round draft pick (No. 9 overall) in '25, and immediately was installed as the starter at left tackle. He didn't disappoint while displaying skills (footwork, agility, strength) that will make him a future NFL standout and foundational piece for the offense. Banks held his own against several of the NFL's marquee defensive ends and was lauded for his ability to identify mistakes, learn from them and not repeat them.
TALIESE FUAGA 2025 SEASON ANALYSIS
The addition of Banks allowed New Orleans Saints tackle Taliese Fuaga, a first-round draft pick in 2024, to move from the left side, where he started every game as a rookie, to the right side in his second season. After a successful rookie year, Fuaga admittedly had an uneven second year that was impacted by injuries, but he started 13 games and combines with Banks to give New Orleans its tackles of the present and future.
BEST GAME OF KELVIN BANKS' AND TALIESE FUAGA'S 2025 SEASON
In the Saints’ 34-26 victory over Tennessee on Dec. 28 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Banks and Fuaga led an offensive line that was outstanding in the second half, when New Orleans outscored the Titans 24-6. The offense totaled 331 yards in the second half, and quarterback Tyler Shough completed 12 of 16 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. Overall, Shough completed 22 of 27 passes for a career high 333 yards, and running back Audric Estimé ran 14 times for 94 yards, including a game-sealing, 32-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The offense totaled 423 yards and scored on both red zone possessions.
Saints head coach Kellen Moore, on Kelvin Banks Jr.'s rookie season:
“At the end of the day he’s a humble, hardworking guy. He doesn’t let mistakes snowball. To go play left tackle in this league as a rookie, and to play as many hard downs as he had to play against some of the premier players in this league — that’s as hard as it is. That’s as hard as it goes. And his willingness to just go for it, embrace it, get better each week – tons of credit to him and we’re fired up to have him.”
Check out photos of New Orleans Saints offensive tackles Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga in action throughout the 2025 NFL season.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) prepares to block during New Orleans Saints game against the Arizona Cardinals for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 7, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) blocks QB Spencer Rattler (2) during the New Orleans Saints game against the Arizona Cardinals for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 7, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) blocks during the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season on Sept. 14, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) gets in position to block during the New Orleans Saints game against the Seattle Seahawks for Week 3 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 21, 2025 at Lumen Field.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) prepares to block during the New Orleans Saints game against the Buffalo Bills for Week 4 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 28, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Giants for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 5, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) takes a three-point stance during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) blocks during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) prepares to block during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) prepares for the snap during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) prepares to block during the New Orleans Saints game against the Chicago Bears for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 19, 2025 at Soldier Field.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) blocks during the New Orleans Saints game against the Chicago Bears for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 19, 2025 at Soldier Field.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 26, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 26, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Los Angeles Rams for Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 2, 2025 at SoFi Stadium.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) gets in position during the New Orleans Saints game against the Los Angeles Rams for Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 2, 2025 at SoFi Stadium.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) prepares to block during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 23, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) prepares to block during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 23, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) prepares to tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the Miami Dolphins for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) prepares to block during the New Orleans Saints game against the Miami Dolphins for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) prepares to block during the New Orleans Saints game against the Miami Dolphins for Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 30, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) gets in position during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 7, 2025 at Raymond James Stadium.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Carolina Panthers for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 14, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) gets in position during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Jets for Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 21, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) slides during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Jets for Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 21, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) gets in position during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
T Taliese Fuaga (75) blocks during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
T Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) gets in position during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
OT Taliese Fuaga (75) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season on Jan. 4, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
