The New York Giants will kick off their first round of OTA practices this week, and with the start of on-field workouts comes the increased pressure on players who’ve underwhelmed early in their careers to step up their performance.
It’s even more critical for former first-round picks who’ve failed to live up to their draft position.
One player who fits this description is cornerback Deonte Banks, who was selected by the Giants with the 24th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Banks has started every game he’s been healthy enough to play over the last two seasons, logging 29 starts during that span. His production has left much to be desired, however, especially after a major regression in 2024. He didn’t record an interception last season and logged a horrendous 50.9 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Fun (not so fun) fact:#NYGiants CB Deonte Banks’ 50.9 grade from PFF last season ranked 135th among graded corners (min. 100 snaps).
— Giants Talk (@GiantsTalkNFL) May 26, 2025
In fact, Banks was so disappointing in 2024 that the Giants spent big money on cornerback Pauslon Adebo in free agency. Adebo’s three-year, $54 million contract is proof that the team identified their secondary as a target for an upgrade, and the fact that New York was willing to pay Adebo that kind of contract despite him suffering a major leg injury last season is an indictment against their current stable of DBs.
Banks isn’t a lost cause, however. He’s a gifted cover guy who still can blossom in his new role as the team’s No. 2 corner, but he’ll have to bloom this year to make good on his first-round grade.
“The 2023 first-round pick had his sophomore struggles, but he did register 12 pass breakups, beating his rookie mark of 11 and in one fewer game,” Giants.com’s Matt Citak wrote. “With the addition of Adebo, along with the emergence of Dru Phillips in the slot, Banks should have less pressure to match up against the opposing team’s No. 1 receiver on a weekly basis, which should help the young corner’s development. This will be a big year for Banks and his growth, and he has the opportunity to get his third season off on a positive note with a strong performance during OTAs.”
As a rookie, Banks flashed premier traits. If he can return to his 2023 form, the New York Giants’ secondary will be cooking with gas.
Deonte Banks was a lock down CB in Year 1:
– 79.6 passer rating allowed- 55.2% completion % allowed- 11 passes defended- 2 INTspic.twitter.com/OPGHTG85lW
— Gridiron Media (@Gridiron_Media_) May 27, 2024
The offseason additions of Adebo and safety Jevon Holland have the potential to give New York one of the NFL’s top defenses, but a lot of that success will hinge on Deonte Banks returning to what made him such a promising first-year player.
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