The New York Giants traded up one spot — from No. 25 overall to No. 24 — to make certain that they walked away with the top player left on their board in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft in Kansas City on Thursday night.
The player they coveted was Maryland defensive back Deonte Banks, who will fill a massive need in Big Blue’s unproven secondary.
Joe Schoen said the Giants went through scenarios and team needs and thought someone might take Banks at pick 24. So they “didn’t want to get greedy” and used their capital to assure they landed their player. #giants #nfldraft
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 28, 2023
Why Deonte Banks?
“Prototype from a size standpoint,” per Joe Schoen. Speed, athleticism, length. Four-year starter.
And … “schematically a good fit.” #Giants #nfldraft
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 28, 2023
Giants GM Joe Schoen on trade to grab Deonte Banks: “It was the right thing to do for us” pic.twitter.com/1Jgq2gSbkT
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) April 28, 2023
Giants general manager Joe Schoen said that Banks is a “good fit” schematically for coordinator Wink Martindale’s defense and they had spent a lot of time with Banks during the pre-draft process. Schoen also said Banks sizes up as a ‘prototypical’ NFL defensive back.
Schoen revealed the Giants had a deal in place with the Jacksonville Jaguars to move up earlier in the day but were also contemplating moving back.
Head coach Brian Daboll appeared to be fine with the pick after missing out on some of the top wide receivers.
Brian Daboll on Deonte Banks: "He's a tall, lengthy, press man-to-man corner and happy we have him"
— Charlotte Carroll (@charlottecrrll) April 28, 2023
