CB Deonte Banks Plans to Build on Rookie Season Success
The recent history of first-round draft picks by the New York Giants is littered with players who didn't live up to their expected potential. Time after time, New York invested high first-round draft picks and didn't receive the return on investment they would have hoped for. That seems to have changed with their most recent first-round pick, cornerback Deonte Banks.
Banks was drafted 24th overall in the most recent NFL Draft from the University of Maryland and immediately impacted New York's defense, playing in nearly 75 percent of the team's defensive snaps this season. The rookie corner would add 57 snaps on special teams for New York.
Banks would finish the season with 64 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defended. He ranked fifth on the team in tackles and had the highest total tackles of all Giants cornerbacks, even though he missed two games this season.
Still, with the Giants disappointing season coming to an end, Banks wants more for himself and the team next season.
Nov 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) celebrates an interception against New England Patriots in the 1st half at MetLife Stadium.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
“I want to win," Banks said. "That’s the most important thing, but I also want to show that I can be a great player. I always knew I belonged in the league, and I think I showed that. Now, it’s time to prove that I can be great. I’m going for All-Pro. I ain’t missing another Pro Bowl list. Next year, my name is going to be on it.”
The Giants have a few positions on their defense that they only need to tweak as they head into next season, assuming young but talented players like Banks can take the next step after getting an entire season's worth of playing experience under their belt. Linebacker and cornerback are two of those positions.
If the Giants can continue to develop Banks into a solid cornerback and find another cornerback who can complement him at a team-friendly cost, that could help the Giants find a way to return to playoff contention sooner than expected.
The question the Giants have to decide is whether or not that cornerback is already on the team. If they don't feel like they already have a player capable of stepping into the cornerback position opposite of Banks, it would be wise for the Giants to consider a veteran option via free agency.
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