Should Dolphins pick Texas OL Kelvin Banks in NFL draft first round? Case for, case against
Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Longhorns, but he may be the Miami Dolphins' NFL Draft solution for a starting guard.
Banks, 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, could be a devastating, athletic pulling guard in the Dolphins' zone run-blocking scheme.
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Scouts project a move from tackle to guard for Banks, in part, because of a lack of ideal arm length.
Recall how former tackle Robert Hunt made a powerful impact after transitioning to guard as a Dolphins' second-round pick.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Banks said about one-third of NFL teams he interviewed with specifically dove into the guard projection, even though he's never played the position in his life.
"They asked me if I was willing to play any position on the line and of course my answer was definitely yes," Banks said.
Case for Dolphins drafting Kelvin Banks
The Dolphins need a guard to start opposite free-agent addition James Daniels and to start Week 1.
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It would be an upset if Miami did not use a first- or second-round pick on a guard, or a tackle projected to at least move to guard as a rookie.
If Will Campbell of LSU and Armand Membou of Missouri are gone when Miami is on the board at pick 13, Banks must be considered.
Coaches say Banks has high football IQ. NFL scouts say Banks is strong, agile and technically sound.
Success in the taxing SEC should bode well in a transition to the NFL.
Case against Dolphins drafting Kelvin Banks
Banks at guard is a projection, though one scouts are confident in. Banks at times over-extends and can be prone to a penalty.
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Austin Jackson of the Dolphins once started at tackle, transitioned to guard and was moved back to tackle. Do the Dolphins want to go through another potential exploration of positional strengths with their first-round pick?
If Campbell and Membou are gone, but cornerback Will Johnson of Michigan and/or cornerback Jahdae Barron of Texas are available, it may be hard to pass on a potential replacement for Jalen Ramsey, who is on the trading block.
In that case, the Dolphins could use their second-round pick on a guard, or try to add another second-round pick for a guard.
When is the NFL draft?
The 2025 NFL draft will take place over three days from Thursday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26. This year's draft will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at Lambeau Field and the Titletown area around the Green Bay Packers' home stadium.
What draft picks do Dolphins have?
The Miami Dolphins have 10 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with the No. 13 pick in the first round. Here's a look at each pick:
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Round 1 (13 overall)
Round 2 (48)
Round 3 (98) - compensatory pick for Robert Hunt
Round 4 (116)
Round 4 (135) - compensatory pick for Christian Wilkins
Round 5 (150)
Round 5 (155) - trade from Denver
Round 7 (224) - trade from Chicago
Round 7 (231)
Round 7 (253) - compensatory pick for DeShon Elliott
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
2025 NFL mock draft 6.0: Miami Dolphins add Jalen Ramsey replacement in Round 1 | Schad
NFL Free Agents: Dolphins need to sign a few of these available players
Miami Dolphins poll: 91 percent say 'low' or 'very low' confidence in plan
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins draft updates: Why Miami should, shouldn't pick OL Kelvin Banks
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