The New York Giants selected cornerback Deonte Banks in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft but don’t let his youth fool you. Banks is the one sure corner the Giants have set this year, and he is ready to embrace a leadership role among the corners.
The average age of the Giants’ corners is 24 years. At 23, Banks is among the youth in the ranks, but last season he ranked fifth among all Giants defenders in solo tackles with 53.
After getting a full season under his belt and experiencing his first offseason as a pro, Banks not only loves being back on the field, but he feels more confident.
“It’s been fun. I like it. I’m really confident about it. I am just taking it as it comes,” he told reporters on Thursday. “I’m just giving them everything I can. I’m just taking my job as it comes. I want to be that leader, so I’m trying to take that leadership role.”
Banks says he hasn’t done anything differently this year with that leadership role in mind, but he is ready to show what he can do and appreciates the responsibility.
“It means a lot. It means the Giants believe in me, so I got to do it,” he added.
Banks is able to take on that leadership role because of his confidence.
“I feel way better. I was always a confident guy, but I feel way more confident. I feel more comfortable. Everything comes to me way easier,” he said.
Last season, Banks recorded 64 tackles, two interceptions, and 11 passes defensed. As with college, many players struggle with a sophomore slump, but Banks isn’t letting up. He’s accepting more responsibility, helping the guys who are new to the team, and he knows what the expectations will be for him this year.
It appears Banks is set up for success in 2024, but we’ll have to see if it translates into productivity when the season starts.
