Banks and Fuaga formed foundational offensive line bookends
New Orleans Saints
Kelvin Banks Jr.
#71
T
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 315 lbs
- College: Texas
Taliese Fuaga
#75
T
- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 324 lbs
- College: Oregon State
KELVIN BANKS JR. 2025 SEASON ANALYSIS
New Orleans Saints tackleKelvin 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 tackleTaliese 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
Inthe Saints 34-26 victory over Tennessee on Dec. 28at 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 quarterbackTyler Shoughcompleted 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 backAudric Estimran 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:
New Orleans Saints
