Jaguars pick decorated Texas prospect to address huge need in 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Jacksonville Jaguars were pushed around at the line of scrimmage in 2023, so the front office made reinforcements in the offseason. That said, their offensive line will need further attention next year and the Bleacher Report scouting department has the perfect suggestion to bolster the group.

B/R put together an NFL Mock Draft for 2025 and has the Jags taking Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 15. The reasoning behind the selection is that Cam Robinson is set to become a free agent next year and because he's not a top-10 player at his position, Jacksonville should look for an upgrade. Here's the skinny.

""With starting left tackle Cam Robinson set to hit free agency after this season and not being a bona fide top-10 left tackle, chances are he'll be let go with the aim of landing the blindside protector of the future... Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. uses smooth movement skills to mirror effectively on an island. Banks is also able to protect at a high level without help, which will help him stick outside in the NFL despite being a little undersized (6'4", 320 lbs).

"Questions do linger about his play strength that will need to get answered this season, but his pass-protecting skills will warrant him to be considered as a top-half-of-the-first-round blocker.""

Robinson has been the Jaguars' starting left tackle since they drafted him in 2017. He got the franchise tag in 2021 and a long-term deal the following year. Known as a feisty competitor, the former Alabama standout has become a leader on the offensive line. The team's brass could've released him in the offseason and freed up $17.1 million in cap space but opted to keep him around because of his value on and off the field.

That said, Jacksonville could be in a cap crunch in 2025. They gave long-term deals to Trevor Lawrence, defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, and cornerback Tyson Campbell, so they might be hard-pressed to retain a handful of players such as Robinson unless they take a discount. When you take into account that he plays a premium position, he may want to see what his options are in the open market. In case the Jags lose him, Kelvin Banks Jr. becomes the ideal replacement.

The Humble, Texas native has made 27 starts at left tackle the past two seasons, earning First-Team All-Big 12 and Second-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2023, and 2022 respectively. At 6'4" and 325 pounds, he's got optimal size to play in the NFL. A five-star recruit out of high school, Banks is outstanding in pass protection but must improve in the running game. The good news is that he has ample time to get better.

Kelvin Banks Jr. would be the ideal pick for the Jaguars in the 2025 NFL Draft

The Jaguars would be thrilled if they managed to land Banks in 2025, as they would provide an affordable replacement with a massive upside for Cam Robinson. Sure, they also have Walker Little in the mix. The 2021 second-round pick has shown starting potential. Like his veteran counterpart, he's set to become a free agent next year but hasn't seemingly done enough to make you think that he's part of the team's long-term plans.

Sure, their interior offensive line could also use upgrades, with right guard Brandon Scherff slated to become a free agent and center Mitch Morse not getting any younger. That said, the front office could easily target both positions in Rounds 2 and 3 of the draft., so they will most likely prioritize other needs.

There's still plenty of time left for the next year's NFL Draft. Heck, the 2024 NFL season barely started, but there are some clear needs the Jacksonville Jaguars will need to address. Left tackle is shaping up to be one of them, and Kelvin Banks Jr. would be the ideal pick to take care of it.

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