The New York Giants traded up within the first spherical of final yr’s NFL draft to pick Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks. Regardless that most specialists noticed Banks as a Day 2 choose, common supervisor Joe Schoen felt so strongly about him that they had been prepared 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 some other 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 usually performed him in shadow protection towards opponents’ finest receivers.
He improved in his closing 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 quite a bit for us final yr. Preferred him popping out of the College of Maryland. He’s one other man like (Jalin) Hyatt by way of the extra he performs, the extra snug he’s gotten,” Daboll stated. “He’s enjoying some various things right here with our new protection, however he’s accomplished a very good job I might say all through the OTAs as properly.”
Final yr, Banks was entrusted with shadowing the opponents’ high broad receivers, an project normally reserved for extra established and achieved veteran corners. He’s as much as the problem.
“I like that. I shadowed a couple of receivers final yr,” Banks informed reporters this week. “I adopted CeeDee (Lamb) in our second sport, and I additionally adopted (Garrett) Wilson.”
When requested if he noticed that as a praise, Banks shortly stated, “Sure, for positive.”
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 style.
“I wouldn’t say I anticipate it, but when it occurs, it occurs. I’m cool with no matter,” Banks stated earlier than outlining the nuances.
“Most likely enjoying not as aggressive. It’s nonetheless aggressive, however simply not as aggressive. A bit of bit extra zone. I assume you may say that… I actually nonetheless have the identical accountability. 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 aspect of the sector. In addition they are displaying confidence of their different younger corners, similar to Cor’Dale Flott, Tre Hawkins III, and rookie Andru Phillips, who will compete for jobs in coaching camp this summer season.
“Yeah, good competitors,” stated Daboll. “Appears to be like good. Jerome (Henderson) is doing a very good job with these guys. They’re bettering daily. It is going to 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.”
