Texans find a falling star in the draft in SB Nation’s annual community mock draft.
The Houston Texans have traded up one pick with the Minnesota Vikings in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft! With the 24th pick in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft, the Houston Texans select…
Kelvin Banks Jr, OT – Texas
This is the steal of the draft if you ask me. The Battle Red Blog writers were tied between Kelvin Banks and fellow Longhorn teammate Matthew Golden, but decided that the offensive line was a bigger need.
We agreed to move up one pick to avoid other teams trading up with the pick-needy Vikings and gave them our fifth round pick (166).
BRB Analysis:
Kelvin Banks Jr. being at 24 was too good to be true. The Vikings are the clearest move-down candidate in the first round with only four total picks in the draft, which makes them a difficult team to have directly in front of the Texans. In the end, they were happy to take the draft capital and we were happy to get our future left tackle.
Banks is a three-year starter at Texas and was the anchor for an offensive line that may see all five starters drafted. His consistency, play strength, and footwork are elite in a class lacking many true tackles.
Banks is falling due to messy run-blocking form among other technical issues that need to be ironed out at the next level. However, in a class lacking definitive left tackles, Banks is one who can slot in immediately. Analysts do convey his potential at guard, but his height, length, lack of lower body thickness, and superior footwork would be disadvantageous with a move inside. He racked up 2,778 snaps at left tackle in the both the Big 12 and SEC and anyone who tells you he isn’t a tackle doesn’t understand how talent translates.
This selection opens the Texans up to take best player available throughout the rest of the draft. They should focus on wide receiver and defensive tackle early, but General Manager Nick Caserio is free to move around the draft and find talent in a top-heavy class.
NFL.com’s Draft Profile:
Overview
Three-year starter who has gone to battle in the trenches with current and future pros. Banks will come into the league as an early starter but his run blocking is more pro-ready than his pass protection. He’s technically sound and scrappy in the ground game, with the quickness and athleticism to get to all move blocks. He has the leverage and strain to hold his own at the point. Banks has the slide quickness to deal with speed, but he must become more proactive in attacking power rushers and long-limbed attackers to prevent them from dictating the terms. He needs to improve his anchor and hand placement but he should become a long-time NFL starter at either tackle or guard.
Strengths
Plays with good initial quickness and easy athleticism.
Tracks rushers with smooth slides and a steady pace.
Refuses to overset and unnecessarily open an inside lane.
Feet are active and light to mirror counter movements.
Has a feel for his punch range and when to throw his hands.
Dips and drives hips into the opponent, creating leverage.
Runs feet into down blocks and kick-outs, and keeps them chopping.
Centers up man-on-man blocks and strains to neutralize.