AUSTIN (KXAN) — For the first time since 1980, the Texas Longhorns had three players drafted in the first round at the 2025 NFL draft Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. became the 28th Longhorn to be a top-10 pick when the New Orleans Saints grabbed him at No. 9, then defensive back Jahdae Barron joined the Denver Broncos at No. 20. Wide receiver Matthew Golden rounded out Thursday’s picks at No. 23 to the host Packers, becoming the franchise’s first receiver selection in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002.
First-round selections are expected to make an immediate impact and will be viewed under a microscope for their entire careers. Whether that’s fair to players who just finished playing college football is up for debate, but that’s simply how it is. The team executives, front office personnel, scouts and coaches who collaborate to make the picks want their up-and-coming stars to have the best possible road to success, at least in properly run franchises. It seems like all three Longhorns made it to good spots.
What Saints HC Kellen Moore said about Kelvin Banks Jr.
In his first year as an NFL head coach, Kellen Moore said his first draft experience was “a lot of fun.” As a former college and NFL quarterback, it’s easy to see why he wanted to pick a player like Banks, who is built to keep quarterbacks’ jerseys clean.
“This is a trenches game, and it’s won up front in a lot of ways,” he said during a press conference at the conclusion of the first round. “This place is invested in that, and we’ll continue to do that. We have a ton of talent there, and we want to put the best five on the field.”
Moore said Banks is “everything you want your organization to represent.”
“The player, the person … when you meet him, you are gravitated to him and you put on the field, he gets after people,” Moore said. “He moves people in the run game, he’s a great pass protector, and he just does an excellent job.”
The Saints met with Banks during the scouting combine in Indianapolis in early March and at the Texas pro day March 25, and Moore said Banks was at the top of the team’s draft board.
“We felt like the ability to increase our offensive line was an excellent opportunity for our football team and its identity,” he said.
Banks might not play tackle immediately for the Saints. Moore talked about potentially moving him inside to guard, but he’s going to let everything play out before any concrete decisions are made. He’s just happy Banks was available at No. 9.
“We feel really good about this,” Moore said. “We have a lot of flexibility in this group.”
What Broncos GM George Paton, HC Sean Payton said about Jahdae Barron
“He’s a playmaker.”
Broncos general manager George Paton couldn’t get those words out of his mouth fast enough about Barron. The reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner joins a secondary with all-pros Patrick Surtain II and newly-acquired Talanoa Hufanga, and with the addition of Barron, the Broncos think they have the beginning of something special.
“Sean and I watched him last week and we just couldn’t stop,” Paton said. “The instincts, anticipation, route awareness … he’s really sticky in man and doesn’t give many completions. He’s really good in the run game and tackler, and he plays all over the field. He fits everything we’re looking for. He’s going to add to a really good defense, we’re excited to have him.”
Payton said Barron’s versatility and intelligence were ultimately what sold him as far as skills on the field go. But as Longhorns fans know, Barron is one of the most charismatic and affable people around, and Payton was a big fan of that, too.
“He’s got a bright energy to him,” Payton said. “He politely asked to be put on speakerphone, and he thanked everyone in the room for the process, and I’ve never had that happen before.”
Payton said the organization was able to vet Barron using their relationships with those within the Texas program. Along with head coach Steve Sarkisian, former assistant coach Terry Joseph is the brother of Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and new Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi’s son Christian was a deep snapper for the Longhorns. Payton said the ability to get information and different perspectives on Barron was crucial to their decision to draft him.
What Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said about Matthew Golden
“He’s a lot more than just a fast guy.”
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst knows Golden lit up the scouting combine with his 4.29-second 40-yard dash, but that’s only one reason why Golden was the first receiver the Packers picked in the first round in almost 25 years.
“He gets open in man coverage with excellent hands,” he said. “He can play inside, outside and can do some kick returning. He’s going to be a guy that can help us in a lot of ways.”
With quarterback Jordan Love becoming one of the NFL’s top throwers, the Packers are trying to surround him with some of the best catchers. It seems obvious, but it’s not that easy to do. Golden is terrific at catching the ball with his hands, keeping it away from his body to limit drops, and Gutekunst noticed that from the first time he saw him.
“He’s a hands catcher, and that’s really important for our receivers,” he said. “He’s just scratching the surface of what he can be, and I think he can be a very good pro.”
The NFL draft continues with Rounds 2 and 3 starting at 6 p.m. Friday.
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