The New England Patriots opened up a spot on their practice squad on Tuesday with the release of long snapper Tucker Addington. They filled that spot on Thursday by signing edge defender Keshawn Banks to their practice squad. New England’s 53-man roster and 17-man practice squad are full once again.
Keshawn Banks played collegiately at San Diego State. He was a four-year starter on the Aztecs defense. He made the All-Moutain West Conference team all four of those seasons. Banks made second-team twice and honorable mention twice. He played 59 games for San Diego State and amassed 139 tackles, including 43 tackles for a loss. Banks added 13.0 career sacks and a forced fumble.
Pro Football Focus gave Banks credit for 165 quarterback pressures and 17 sacks at SDSU. They gave him a 77.9 defensive grade for his final season in 2022, which included an 80.7 for run defense. PFF credited Banks with 30 stops for that season and 91 for his college career.
NFL Career
Keshawn Banks measured 6-foot-3 and weighed 255 pounds pre-draft. Despite his solid production at San Diego State, he was not selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, he signed with the Green Bay Packers and remained with them throughout training camp.
Banks impressed in preseason. He played in all three Packers games, including against the Patriots. In 72 defensive snaps, he recorded five tackles, five stops, two quarterback pressures, and a batted ball. His performance earned him an 81.4 grade from Pro Football Focus for the preseason. Green Bay cut Banks at the end of training camp but signed him back to the practice squad, where he remained for the 2023 regular season. The Packers elevated him for their playoff game against the 49ers, where he played in 11 snaps.
Green Bay brought Banks back for 2024. He missed time in camp due to a groin injury. It forced him to sit out the first two preseason games. He played in their preseason finale, recording two assisted tackles and a quarterback pressure. He was cut at the end of camp and did not re-sign with the Packers practice squad this time around. The Patriots had Banks in for a workout last month, making him the third member of that group to sign with the practice squad.
Kelvin Banks joins a New England Patriots practice squad featuring edge defenders Ochaun Mathis and Jotham Russell. Banks will see some familiar faces in Foxboro. Offensive lineman Zach Thomas was a college teammate of Banks. Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery held the same role for the Green Bay Packers in 2023. Perhaps his recommendation helped land Banks his new job.
