NY Jets eye surprise first-round option with unexpected Aaron Glenn connection

The New York Jets are widely expected to target an offensive lineman at some point in the 2025 NFL Draft, possibly as early as the first round. Missouri’s Armand Membou has emerged as the most popular projection for Gang Green, while LSU’s Will Campbell has also received his fair share of buzz as a potential option at pick No. 7.

But according to a new report, there may be another name quietly climbing the Jets’ board. ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported on Sunday that Texas standout Kelvin Banks Jr. could be a potential target for the Jets in the first round as well.

Notably, Campbell wasn’t mentioned at all, a possible sign that Banks has jumped him in the pecking order or that Campbell may not be available. While Banks hasn’t generated much top-10 hype throughout the pre-draft process, some analysts believe he may actually be the most polished left tackle in this class.

Others view Banks as a better fit on the interior, and that projection could push him outside the Jets’ range. But if New York sees him as a starting-caliber tackle, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him in serious play on draft night, especially if Membou is off the board by pick No. 7.

Kelvin Banks Jr. emerging as potential NY Jets draft target

One interesting wrinkle is that Banks shares a hometown with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. Both hail from Humble, Texas, though they attended different high schools. It’s a small world, but perhaps that familiarity could help push the Texas lineman into legitimate consideration for the team’s first-round pick.

A three-year starting left tackle at Texas, Banks burst onto the scene as a true freshman starter in 2022, earning Freshman All-American and second-team All-Big 12 honors.

He'd parlay that success into a second-team All-American selection in 2023 before earning first-team All-American honors and the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's best offensive lineman, in 2024.

At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Banks is one of the best pure pass protectors in this class, although some scouts have concerns about his lackluster arm length. That's why some, including The Athletic's Dane Brugler, believe he will be best fit as a guard at the next level.

The Jets, of course, are looking for someone who can fill the hole they have at right tackle. The team signed veteran Chukwuma Okorafor in free agency, but he doesn't — or at least shouldn't — project as a legitimate starting option in 2025.

The challenge with Banks is that he played exclusively at left tackle during his college career. Even if the Jets view him as a future NFL tackle, neither he nor Olu Fashanu has significant experience on the right side, aside from a brief stint by Fashanu last season.

Banks may not be the most likely pick for the Jets, but he’s a name worth keeping an eye on if their top targets are gone. His connection to Glenn adds just enough intrigue to make him a potential wild card, especially in the event of a trade-down.

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