Giants steal star prospect in Sports Illustrated's new mock draft
The New York Giants are in a vastly different draft scenario this year compared to the one in 2022. Armed with two top 10 picks, the team addressed the edges of both lines when they selected Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal respectively, But following an overachieving season the Giants don't pick until 25th overall and […]
The New York Giants are in a vastly different draft scenario this year compared to the one in 2022.
Armed with two top 10 picks, the team addressed the edges of both lines when they selected Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal respectively,
But following an overachieving season the Giants don't pick until 25th overall and will likely have the majority of round-one graded prospects off the board at that point. But in Kevin Hanson of Sports Illustrated's latest mock draft, that is not the case.
Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Banks is an elite athlete that has all the traits of a shutdown corner.
The prototype for modern NFL defenses, Banks has the length, fluidity, and foot speed that man-man-heavy defensive coordinators covet.
At 6'0 flat and just shy of 200 pounds, Banks recorded the single best athleticism score amongst all defensive backs participating at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
Banks' testing numbers were truly jaw-dropping, including:
- 4.35 40-yard dash
- 1.49 10-yard split
- 42' vert
- 11'6 broad
Those are ELITE numbers, and rival some of the best performances ever seen out of a corner.
When mocking Banks to the Giants, Hanson said the following:
The Giants need an upgrade opposite Adoree’ Jackson, and they could target some of their other top needs (center and wide receiver) on Day 2, said Hanson. Banks tested extremely well at the combine—4.35 40-yard dash, 42" vertical and 11'4" broad jump. He’s a willing and reliable tackler, who had his most productive season in 2022 with nine passes defended.
Now, the only issue I have with this selection would be the likelihood that it can even occur.
As of April 11th, we are two weeks and two days shy of round one and Deonte Banks is 24th on the consensus board, meaning he's well within reach of the Giants.
But, much like we highlighted in a piece yesterday, the media's aggregation of draft boards often differs from the reality within the walls of NFL war rooms.
Teams know that long corners who move like Banks don't grow on trees, and come at a premium whether it be in free agency or via draft capital.
And Banks is not a perfect prospect, widely viewed as a bit developmental, Banks will need to refine his technique in zone coverage and when his back is to the ball.
But the Giants hired Wink Martindale to run his defense and play his exotic yet aggressive style.
That starts with dominant corners and players like Banks who compare similarly to someone like Marlon Humphrey, who Martindale coached during his time with the Ravens.
While I'm not sure Banks will last that long on Draft night, I do know the Giants wouldn't make him wait any longer should he be available at 25.
