NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The Saints (6-11) may have narrowly missed the playoffs, but they finished strong and showed signs of a rebuilding effort ahead of schedule.
New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (71) lines up during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)(Tyler Kaufman | AP)
The Saints’ progress this season was reflective of a strong draft class in 2025. Headlining the class for New Orleans are No. 9 overall pick, offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., and second-round pick, quarterback Tyler Shough. Banks and Shough were announced as selections to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.
It’s the first time that more than one Saints rookie has been named to the All-Rookie team since 2019.
Banks instantly became a starter on the Saints’ offensive line, where he was a standout. Banks played more offensive snaps than any other player on the Saints roster, 1,066 of 1,124.
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Shough took over as the starting quarterback midway through the season, going 5-4 as a starter and becoming the franchise signal caller in New Orleans for the foreseeable future.
Shough finished his season with 2,384 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, and a 91.3 passer rating.
Shough is also an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist.
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