Banks, a 6-foot-6, 339-pound tackle, is described as an aggressive bull rusher with rare first-step quickness for his size. Scouts compared him to Vita Vea but with longer length. He missed most of last season with a foot injury, though his Senior Bowl work drew praise for his explosive presence in the trenches.
Even with injury questions, Miller notes Banks could fit into a versatile Chargers front as a rotational piece, helping to reinforce a front that already emphasizes depth and versatility. His immediate impact could hinge on how quickly he can translate Senior Bowl reps to regular-season reps.
At No. 55, Miller projects Oregon center or guard Emmanuel Pregnon to shore up the interior line. Pregnon’s path included two years at USC before transferring, with a notable portal ranking that underscored his NFL-ready skillset and production for the Ducks.
Pregnon helped an Oregon offense that was among the nation’s best on the ground, averaging 198.6 rushing yards per game and scoring 35 rushing touchdowns last season, part of a run-first attack that underscored his value to a team seeking interior stability.
The Chargers’ strategy centers on strengthening both lines while preserving financial flexibility. With the NFL’s top cap space this year, they can invest in free-agent talent or expand their offensive firepower, and drafting Banks and Pregnon could moderate how much they spend in free agency while addressing core needs.
While Banks and Pregnon come with risk—injury questions for Banks and the transition for Pregnon—the plan reflects a broader effort to build from the inside out and deploy versatile upfront units, a hallmark of Harbaugh-inspired trench play.
