The New York Giants traded up within the first spherical of final yr’s NFL draft to pick Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks. Though most specialists noticed Banks as a Day 2 decide, common supervisor Joe Schoen felt so strongly about him that they have been keen to do what it took to not lose him.
Banks performed 74 p.c of the defensive snaps as a rookie final yr — greater than another Giants nook — ending fifth on the crew in tackles (64), first in passes defensed (11- tied with Xavier McKinney), and recorded two interceptions.
PFF on Deonte Banks:
Banks’ diploma of problem was as excessive as any cornerback in soccer, because the Giants typically performed him in shadow protection towards opponents’ finest receivers.
He improved in his ultimate 5 video games, permitting not more than 40 yards in any of them. pic.twitter.com/ywvRDQZlxF
— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media_) January 10, 2024
On Thursday, on the Giants’ ninth OTA of their offseason program, head coach Brian Daboll spoke about Banks heading into Yr 2.
“Clearly he performed rather a lot for us final yr. Appreciated him popping out of the College of Maryland. He’s one other man like (Jalin) Hyatt when it comes to the extra he performs, the extra comfy he’s gotten,” Daboll mentioned. “He’s taking part in some various things right here with our new protection, however he’s finished a extremely good job I might say all through the OTAs as effectively.”
Final yr, Banks was entrusted with shadowing the opponents’ prime large receivers, an project normally reserved for extra established and completed veteran corners. He’s as much as the problem.
“I like that. I shadowed a couple of receivers final yr,” Banks instructed reporters this week. “I adopted CeeDee (Lamb) in our second recreation, and I additionally adopted (Garrett) Wilson.”
When requested if he noticed that as a praise, Banks shortly mentioned, “Sure, for certain.”
However that was final yr in coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme. The Giants have a brand new coordinator in Shane Bowen this season and it’s unsure if he’ll deploy Banks in the identical vogue.
“I wouldn’t say I count on it, but when it occurs, it occurs. I’m cool with no matter,” Banks mentioned earlier than outlining the nuances.
“In all probability taking part in not as aggressive. It’s nonetheless aggressive, however simply not as aggressive. A bit bit extra zone. I suppose you could possibly say that… I actually nonetheless have the identical duty. I’m nonetheless urgent, nonetheless up shut on the man. It doesn’t actually change that a lot.”
Regardless of how the Giants select to make use of Banks, they’ve confidence in him holding down his facet of the sphere. In addition they are displaying confidence of their different younger corners, akin to Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins III, and rookie Andru Phillips, who will compete for jobs in coaching camp this summer time.
“Yeah, good competitors,” mentioned Daboll. “Appears good. Jerome (Henderson) is doing a extremely good job with these guys. They’re bettering day-after-day. Will probably be good to get out right here in a month for coaching camp and get the pads on and allow them to compete it out.”
