The New York Giants traded up within the first spherical of final yr’s NFL draft to pick out Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks. Despite the fact that most specialists noticed Banks as a Day 2 decide, basic supervisor Joe Schoen felt so strongly about him that they had 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 every 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 last 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 lots 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 taking part in some various things right here with our new protection, however he’s carried out a extremely good job I’d say all through the OTAs as properly.”
Final yr, Banks was entrusted with shadowing the opponents’ high huge 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 rapidly 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 vogue.
“I wouldn’t say I count on it, but when it occurs, it occurs. I’m cool with no matter,” Banks stated earlier than outlining the nuances.
“Most likely taking part in not as aggressive. It’s nonetheless aggressive, however simply not as aggressive. A little bit bit extra zone. I suppose you possibly can 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 facet of the sector. Additionally they are exhibiting confidence of their different younger corners, corresponding 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,” stated Daboll. “Seems good. Jerome (Henderson) is doing a extremely good job with these guys. They’re bettering every single day. It will likely 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.”