Deonte Banks: Grading the Giants’ No. 24 overall NFL draft pick

Much like their NFC East rivals in the Philadelphia Eagles trading one pick to get their player, the New York Giants traded up one spot from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Giants feared that another team would be in the hunt for. The Giants were so serious to get Deonte Banks that they traded their fifth-round (160th overall) pick and seventh-round (240th overall) pick to the Jaguars to improve their secondary.

In terms of immediate production, it was a decision that the Giants needed to make.

Banks is going to be an instant starter for the Giants’ secondary. He was the fourth cornerback taken in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Grading Deonte Banks to the Giants

Other than Adoree Jackson, the Giants didn’t have much a solid option at the main man coverage unit. The Giants’ defense ranked 14th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (214) in a much-improved defense.

Banks played in all four years for the Terps going back to being an instant-impact player as a freshman. He was solid as a freshman, only played five games as a sophomore due to the impact of COVID-19, suffered an injury in his junior and finally, played like a star as a senior. This past season, Banks accounted for 38 total tackles, 25 solo tackles, eight pass breakups and one interception.

Banks fills in the serious void on the defensive side of the ball for the Giants, so it’s a good win for both sides.

Grade: A-