Joel Klatt Predicts Kelvin Banks Jr.'s Fate in Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 7:49 PM ET

The Texas Longhorns had two players taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, in defensive lineman Byron Murphy II and receiver Xavier Worthy.

On Monday's episode of "The Joel Klatt Show ," Joel Klatt predicted how the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft would go. He had Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. selected with the 10th overall pick by the Chicago Bears.

The Bears could use Banks to shore up their offensive line, given how much pressure quarterback Caleb Williams was under in 2024. The Bears allowed 68 sacks last season, which was the most in the NFL.

Banks brought home hardware last season, winning the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. He was also a finalist for the Joe Moore Award.

The Bears underwent a coaching change halfway through the 2024 season. Head coach Matt Eberflus was fired on Nov. 29, shortly after a questionable clock management decision against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving.

Eberflus's record with the Bears was 14-39 in three years. Assistant coach Thomas Brown was named interim head coach for the season.

The franchise named former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson the successor to Eberflus. Under Johnson, the Lions averaged the most points (33.2) and the second-most offensive yards (409.5) per game last season.

With the Bears' offensive line porous last season, the team made some offseason moves. Former Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman, former Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney, and former Los Angeles Rams guard Jonah Jackson joined the team in free agency.

If the Bears take Banks, he would be the franchise's first Texas player drafted since running back Roschon Johnson in 2023.

The 2025 NFL Draft is in Green Bay, Wisconsin, from April 24-26.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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