The New Orleans Saints went substance style in the 2025 NFL draft, and per usual, the offensive line is getting the short end of the stick in what is essentially a popularity contest. It’s time to take a look at Madden NFL 26.
EA Sports released its top 10 rookie player ratings from this year’s draft class. While the Saints selected offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with a top-10 draft pick (the ninth overall selection), he did not make the top-10 rankings. He was passed over by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams (the No. 11 pick), Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (No. 13), Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker (No. 15), Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (No. 20), and Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (No. 30). Banks was not the only top-10 pick to not make the list. Even first overall selection Cam Ward received a 71 overall.
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The 21-year-old left tackle could have been someone who came in with a higher rating, as he had a long track record of success in college and seems fairly pro-ready. He will step into the lineup as a starter for New Orleans.
Banks is much further ahead as a pass protector than as a run blocker. Given that they are separate ratings in Madden, that could be what is holding him back. He will also likely have just solid physical ratings, given that he had an 8.34 Relative Athletic Score and was only considered “elite” with his vertical jump.
While with the Texas Longhorns, Banks had 1,544 career pass blocking snaps and allowed just 34 total pressures and four sacks per Pro Football Focus. There is not much more that he could have done to earn a high base rating there. PFF also gave him an 81 run-blocking grade as a senior, but it was in the 60s earlier in his college career. He’ll just have to prove Madden’s grading system underrated him with his play.
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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints’ top-10 draft pick isn’t one of Madden 26’s top-10 rookies