The countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft is ticking fast, and for Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins, it’s more than just another offseason milestone. It’s decision time. With Terron Armstead riding into retirement and the offensive line depth chart suddenly looking fragile. The Dolphins are navigating choppy waters up front. McDaniel, the architect of one of the league’s most explosive offenses, now finds himself staring at a massive blindside void—and a tantalizing draft opportunity to fix it. The free agency moves have been quiet, almost calculated. But there’s a rumble growing louder out of Austin, Texas.

Enter the 6-foot-4, 320-pound mountain of a man whose résumé screams Day 1 starter. Kelvin Banks Jr., the former Texas Longhorns OT, is on the radar for good reason. A three-year starter and the 2024 Lombardi Award winner, Banks didn’t just hold the line—he dominated it. “With Terron Armstead retiring, the Dolphins should target Kelvin Banks Jr in the NFL Draft,” wrote PFF on X. That same PFF analyst added, “Banks was the Power 4’s most valuable offensive tackle this past season. He earned an elite 90.7 pass blocking grade over the last two years, and his top-end athletic traits make him an ideal fit in Mike McDaniel’s outside zone heavy scheme.” The fit isn’t just schematic—it’s surgical. Banks thrives on the edge in movement-based offenses. And Miami’s outside zone requires exactly the kind of foot speed and awareness he brings.

The buzz isn’t just coming from analysts. The Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator joined the chorus. “If the Miami Dolphins have any hope of making a deep run, they need to prioritize protecting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa,” the simulator projected. And with Banks just 21 years old, the ceiling is sky-high.

“His combination of agility and smooth movement makes him a standout, particularly in the run game, where he thrives when pulling and operating in space.” That phrase—“operating in space”—should be music to Mike McDaniel’s ears. In Miami’s fast-flowing offense, a tackle who can reach the second level, mirror athletic edge rushers, and still wall-off defenders in space is gold. And Kelvin Banks might just be the answer to keeping Tua upright and healthy deep into December.

But just as one potential solution emerges, another storyline swirls…..

Tyreek Hill is back doing Tyreek things—and no, not on the field. It all started with the “I’m out” tweet. This week, the 31-year-old wideout sent shockwaves through Dolphins with a cryptic “✌🏿” emoji on X. That’s all it took. One emoji. One wave. And suddenly, the rumor mill went nuclear. Is this about a trade? A contract dispute? Hill is on a $90 million extension. With his cap hit looming, the Dolphins find themselves with more than one elite position in flux. Mike McDaniel’s balancing act—trying to keep his stars paid while reloading through the draft—has officially entered the high-wire zone.

If Hill’s financial future becomes untenable, all the more reason for Miami to fortify the foundation. You can’t control diva receivers, but you can control the trenches. Steve Sarkisian’s prized tackle has the pedigree. Kelvin Banks has gone toe-to-toe with SEC edge rushers, stood his ground against future pros, and logged 42 starts over three years. His game? Technically sound, feisty in the run game, and loaded with next-level traits. He’s more polished in the ground game, but the upside in pass pro is evident. He’s already shown he can be coached up. In McDaniel’s detail-driven scheme, that matters more than raw tools alone.

Drafting a young, pro-ready tackle like Banks isn’t just about replacing Armstead—it’s about protecting their future. Tua needs time, McDaniel needs flexibility, and this team needs to keep its foot on the gas.

Big Banks in the building? Dolphins eye Texas OT to protect Tua Tagovailoa

If the Miami Dolphins are serious about keeping Tua Tagovailoa upright and healthy, then CBS Sports analyst Tom Fornelli says the answer is simple: go big or go home. And by big, he means Kelvin Banks Jr., the standout offensive tackle from Texas.

In his latest mock draft, Fornelli has Miami snagging Banks in the first round, calling him a “priority” pick for the Fins. And honestly? That checks out. The 21-year-old Texas native isn’t just a big body on the line—he’s a game-changer. He’s known for keeping his QB clean. Just ask Quinn Ewers, who thrived behind Banks’ protection all the way to the CFP semifinals.

Banks is already seen as a top 10 overall prospect, and he’s got “plug-and-play” written all over him. With Miami still needing help in the trenches, especially after battling O-line inconsistency, this pick makes too much sense. What we said Miami should do, Tom already had it done. Fornelli’s ahead of the curve. If Miami’s smart, they’ll follow suit and bring Big Banks to South Beach to guard their franchise QB like Fort Knox.