Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr could easily be considered a top 10 prospect. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the top-tier offensive lineman slipped down the board and was available to the Miami Dolphins at No. 13 overall.
Banks could play either side at the tackle position, and could even excel as a guard at the pro level. His athleticism could be a key factor in moving to the interior, as he can get out in space and block at the next level in the running game and on screen passes.
While he is a very sound pass-protector, he has less than ideal size for an NFL tackle, including arm length concerns. A move to guard could maximize his strengths and allow him to get around a slightly smaller build than a prototypical pro tackle.
Position: OL
Projected round: 1st
Height: 6’4
Weight: 320
Fit for Miami
Selecting Banks could create opportunities for the Dolphins to tinker with their offensive line in many ways. While it remains to be seen what will happen with veteran left tackle Terron Armstead, who has pondered retirement in recent years, Miami has another pair of tackles in Patrick Paul and Austin Jackson.
If Paul takes the left tackle reigns in 2025, Jackson could be penciled into the right tackle spot with Banks at one of the guard openings. But also, Jackson has guard experience, so the Dolphins could opt to play Banks as a tackle.
If Banks was the pick for Miami, four spots on the Dolphins offensive line would be set for the foreseeable future with Paul at left tackle, some combination of Jackson and Banks on the opposite side, and center Aaron Brewer. That would leave just the left guard spot to focus on, which Miami could even address in free agency.
Bottom line
The Dolphins have several impending free agents on the offensive line, including left guard Isaiah Wynn and fellow interior linemen Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg. Also due to become a free agent is swing tackle Kendall Lamm, who has also hinted at retirement.
Miami general manager Chris Grier needs to make good on his promise to invest in the offensive line and Banks would be a great start. It could leave the Dolphins one pick away from a solidified offensive line that would have finally have some consistency and continuity, for a change.