DB #2

Deonte Banks

Cornerback · Maryland

A first-round corner known for his 4.38 speed, Deonte Banks broke out with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown late in the 2025 season.

Deonte Banks entered the league as a first-round cornerback prized for his physical, press-man coverage skills, tailor-made for New York's blitz-heavy defensive scheme. After starting the first 29 games of his career, he saw a reduced defensive role in 2025 while still making an impact in the return game.

★ First-round pick, No. 24 overall, 2023 NFL Draft

★ Honorable Mention All-Big Ten at Maryland (2022)

★ First 29 career games played as a starter

★ 95-yard kickoff return touchdown vs. Las Vegas (2025)

Path to the league

Banks starred at Maryland, where as a senior he was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten after forcing 13 incompletions and allowing just 258 receiving yards in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. His combination of 6-foot-2 size and a 4.38-second 40-yard dash made him the fourth cornerback and first Maryland player selected in the first round since 2019 when the Giants took him 24th overall in the 2023 draft, trading up one spot to secure the pick.

Career highlights

Banks opened his career as an every-down starter, holding down a boundary corner role for the Giants' aggressive man-coverage scheme through his first 29 regular-season games. His blend of length and closing speed made him a natural fit for Wink Martindale's blitz-heavy defensive approach early in his career.

2025 season recap

Banks played in 16 games with six starts in 2025, recording 31 tackles and five passes defensed as Paulson Adebo and Cor'Dale Flott took over as the Giants' primary outside corners. He still made his presence felt in the return game, adding 19 kickoff returns for 622 yards and the first return touchdown of his career, a 95-yard score against Las Vegas on December 28.