Deonte Banks
{{Short description|American football cornerback (born 2001)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Deonte Banks
| image = Terrapins at Wolverines Deonte Banks.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Banks with the Maryland Terrapins in 2022
| current_team = New York Giants
| number = 2
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|3|3}}
| birth_place = Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 200
| high_school = Edgewood {{avoid wrap|(Edgewood, Maryland)}}
| college = Maryland (2019–2022)
| draftyear = 2023
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 24
| pastteams =
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2023}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statweek = 18
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 116
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 23
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 2
| statlabel7 = Touchdowns
| statvalue7 =
| statlabel8 =
| statvalue8 =
| pfr = BankDe00
}}
Deonte Banks (born March 3, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Giants in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Early life
Banks was born on March 3, 2001, in Baltimore, Maryland.{{Cite web |last=Brugler |first=Dane |title=The Beast: 2023 NFL Draft Guide |url=https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/04/10111751/TheBeast_NFL_Draft_Guide-1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410190932/https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2023/04/10111751/TheBeast_NFL_Draft_Guide-1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=The Athletic |pages=249 }} He attended Edgewood High School before playing college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, College Park. Banks also briefly attended Saint Frances Academy in high school, but ended up transferring out, for unknown reasons.{{Cite web |title=Deonte Banks, New York Giants, Cornerback |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Deonte-Banks-46056666/ |access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=247sports.com |language=en-US}} As a freshman, he recorded 28 tackles, an interception, and 2 pass breakups. Maryland only played 5 games in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Banks recording 11 tackles and a pass breakup. In 2021, Banks suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the second game.{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Noah |date=October 19, 2022 |title=Deonte Banks has returned in full force to Maryland football following long injury layoff |url=https://dbknews.com/2022/10/19/maryland-football-deonte-banks/ |access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=The Diamondback |language=en-US}} In 2022, he had 26 tackles, an interception, 8 pass breakups, and a blocked extra point.{{Cite web |title=Deonte Banks - Football |url=https://umterps.com/sports/football/roster/deonte-banks/10286 |access-date=July 8, 2023 |website=University of Maryland Athletics |language=en}} Banks declared for the 2023 NFL draft following the season and participated in the NFL Combine.{{Cite web |last=Iacovacci |first=Jonathan |date=December 6, 2022 |title=Deonte Banks declares for NFL Draft, opts out of Terps' bowl game |url=https://www.testudotimes.com/2022/12/6/23495656/mm-12-6-deonte-banks-declares-for-nfl-draft-opts-out-of-terps-bowl-game |access-date=July 4, 2023 |website=Testudo Times}}{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Seven Terps Invited to NFL Scouting Combine |url=https://umterps.com/news/2023/1/27/football-seven-terps-invited-to-nfl-scouting-combine.aspx |access-date=January 28, 2023 |website=UMTerps.com}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Pro Football Focus listed Bankd as the third best cornerback prospect (18th overall) on their big board.{{cite web| title=2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Cornerbacks| url=https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-position-rankings-cornerback| access-date=May 13, 2025| website=PFF| date=April 24, 2023}}
NFL.com media analyst Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Banks ranked as the fourth best cornerback in the draft.{{cite web| title=2023 NFL Draft Prospects for Vikings: Cornerbacks & Safeties| url=https://www.vikings.com/news/devon-witherspoon-2023-nfl-draft-prospects-cornerbacks-safeties| access-date=May 13, 2025| website=Vikings.com| date=April 26, 2023| author=Craig Peters}} Scouts Inc. listed Banks as the fifth best cornerback (27th overall) on their big board.{{cite web| title=2023 NFL draft rankings: Scouts Inc.'s full board, grades| url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2023/story/_/id/41035052/2023-nfl-draft-rankings-top-prospects-scouts-inc| access-date=May 13, 2025| website=ESPN.com| date=April 26, 2023}} Cory Giddings of Bleacher Report had him ranked fifth amongst all cornerbacks (36th overall) available in the draft.{{cite web| title=Deonte Banks NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Maryland CB| url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10061968-deonte-banks-nfl-draft-2023-scouting-report-for-maryland-cb|access-date=May 13, 2025| website=BleacherReport.com| date=April 25, 2023| author=Cory Giddings}} Dane Brugler of the Athletic ranked Banks as the fifth best cornerback available in the draft. NFL draft analysts projected him to be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
{{external media
| video1 =
[https://www.giants.com/video/deonte-banks-2023-nfl-scouting-combine-workout NFL Combine Workout: Deonte Banks]
| video2 =
[https://www.newyorkjets.com/video/cb-deonte-banks-maryland-runs-a-4-35-second-40-yard-dash-at-2023-nfl-combine Deonte Banks runs 4.35s 40-yard dash]
| video3 =
[https://www.patriots.com/video/2023-draft-prospects-deonte-banks-cb-maryland 2023 Prospect Profile: Deonte Banks]
}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 0 1/8
| weight = 197
| dash = 4.31
| ten split = 1.41
| twenty split = 2.47
| vertical = 42.5
| broad ft = 11
| broad in = 4
| arm span = 31 3/8
| hand span = 9 3/8
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from the NFL Combine{{Cite web |last1=Reuter |first1=Chad |last2=Zierlein |first2=Lance |title=Deonte Banks Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/deonte-banks/32004241-4e46-2444-9957-08e48a0cf8b6 |access-date=March 20, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}
}}
=2023=
The New York Giants selected Banks in the first round (24th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. The New York Giants orchestrated a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars in order to secure the selection of Banks and agreed to send their 2023 first-round (25th overall), fifth-round (160th overall), and sixth-round (240th overall) selections essentially to move one spot up to select Banks with the 24th overall pick.{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Giants draft Maryland CB Deonte Banks with 24th pick |url=https://www.giants.com/news/deonte-banks-cornerback-maryland-terps-2023-nfl-draft |access-date=May 31, 2023 |website=Giants.com}} He was the fourth cornerback drafted and the first of two cornerbacks drafted by the Giants in 2023, along with sixth-round pick (209th overall) Tre Hawkins III.
{{external media
| video1 =
[https://www.giants.com/video/the-moment-deonte-banks-became-a-giant Giants select Deonte Banks No. 24]
| video2 =
[https://www.giants.com/video/deonte-banks-first-interview-as-a-giant Post-Draft Interview: Deonte Banks]
}}
On May 18, 2023, the New York Giants signed Banks to a four–year, $13.59 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $6.87 million and is fully guaranteed upon signing.{{cite web|title=Spotrac.com: Deonte Banks contract| url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/82302/deonte-banks |access-date=December 16, 2024}}
He entered training camp as the projected No. 2 starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Don Martindale, replacing Aaron Robinson, who remained on the PUP list due to an injury in 2022. Head coach Brian Daboll named him a starting cornerback to begin the regular season, pairing him with Adoree Jackson. Throughout training camp, Banks wore No. 36 and No. 37 as his college number, No. 3, was unavailable and already being worn by veteran wide receiver Sterling Shepard. Following the preseason, Banks officially chose to wear No. 25 to begin his rookie season, after it became available after Rodarius Williams was cut during camp.{{cite web | last=Henry | first=Tyler | title=Jersey number shuffle: 5 Giants get new digits | website=Giants Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2023-08-31 | url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2023/08/31/jersey-number-shuffle-5-new-york-giants-get-new-digits/ | access-date=2024-12-17}}
On September 10, 2023, Banks made his professional regular season debut and earned his first career start in the New York Giants' home-opener against the Dallas Cowboys and recorded one tackle and set a season-high with two pass deflections as they lost 0–40. On October 22, 2023, Banks recorded seven combined tackles (five solo), made one pass deflection, and made his first career interception off a pass attempt thrown by Sam Howell to wide receiver Jahan Dotson as the Giants defeated the Washington Commanders 14–7.{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2023 |title=Giants defense stifles Commanders, makes late stand to end 4-game skid in 14-7 win |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401547486 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} In week 12, he made four combined tackles (three solo), one pass deflection, and had his second interception of the season on a pass by Mac Jones to wide receiver Demario Douglas during a 10–7 victory against the New England Patriots.{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2023 |title=Giants edge Patriots and their woeful quarterbacks 10–7, aided by late missed field goal |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401547560 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} In week 14, he set a new season-high with 12 combined tackles (nine solo) and broke up a pass as the Giants defeated the Green Bay Packers 24–22. On December 25, 2023, Banks recorded six solo tackles before exiting during the third quarter of a 25–33 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles after injuring his shoulder.{{cite web| title=Deonte Banks Inactive for Giants' Week 17 Game Against Los Angeles Rams| url=https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/gameday/deonte-banks-inactive-week-17-game-against-rams |access-date=May 20, 2025| website=si.com| date=December 31, 2023}} He was subsequently inactive for the last two games (Weeks 17–18) of the season.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Deonte Banks Game Logs (2023)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BankDe00.htm |access-date=May 20, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}} He finished his rookie season in 2023 with a total of 64 combined tackles (53 solo), 11 passes defended, and made two interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts.{{Cite web |title=Deonte Banks 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BankDe00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He received an overall grade of 51.4 from Pro Football Focus as a rookie in 2023.{{cite web| title=Read 'em and weep: The 2023 Giants as seen by PFF| url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/1/12/24032900/read-em-and-weep-the-2023-giants-as-seen-by-pff| access-date=May 20, 2025| website=bigblueview.com| date=January 12, 2024}}
=2024=
On February 6, 2024, the New York Giants announced the hiring of Shane Bowen as their new defensive coordinator after they agreed to mutually part ways with Don Martindale.{{cite web|title=Giants hire Shane Bowen as defensive coordinator|url=https://www.giants.com/news/shane-bowen-defensive-coordinator-coaching-staff-tennessee-titans-tim-kelly-brian-daboll|publisher=New York Giants|date=February 6, 2024|access-date=February 6, 2024}} On February 9, 2024, Banks posted a picture of him wearing a Giants' jersey with No. 3 on Instagram, signifying his decision to switch after No. 3 became available after Sterling Shepard departed in free agency. He wore No. 3 during his collegiate career.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Id_d6LvPG/?igsh=MTZhbHdzemx2cmlqMw== |access-date=February 9, 2024 |website=www.instagram.com}} He entered training camp slated as the No. 1 starting cornerback. Head coach Brian Daboll named him a starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Cordale Flott.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Ed |date=September 5, 2024 |title=New York Giants Unofficial Week 1 Depth Chart |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2024/9/5/24236732/new-york-giants-unofficial-depth-chart-for-week-1 |access-date=May 20, 2025 |website=Big Blue View|publisher=SB Nation}}
In week 5, Banks recorded six combined tackles (two solo) and set a new career-high with three pass deflections during a 29–20 victory at the Seattle Seahawks.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Deonte Banks Game Logs (2024)| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BankDe00.htm |access-date=May 20, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}} On November 24, 2024, Banks set a season-high with six combined tackles (five solo) and made one pass deflection as the Giants lost 7–30 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He would be inactive for three consecutive games (13–15) after he suffered an injury to his ribs.{{cite web| title=FoxSports.com: Deonte Banks|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/deonte-banks-player-injuries |access-date=May 20, 2025| website=foxsports.com}} He finished the 2024 NFL season with a total of 52 combined tackles (39 solo) and made 12 pass deflections in 14 games and 14 starts.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Deonte Banks Career Overview| url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BankDe00.htm |access-date=May 20, 2025| website=pro-football-reference.com}} He received an overall grade of 50.9 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 182nd amongst 222 qualifying cornerbacks in 2024.{{cite web| title=Pro Football Focus: Deonte Banks |url=https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/deonte-banks/101384| access-date=May 20, 2025| website=PFF.com}}
=2025=
On April 2, 2025, the New York Giants announced changes in jersey numbers, with Banks changing his jersey number for a third consecutive season, going from his college No. 3 to No. 2 in order to accommodate newly acquired free agent quarterback Russell Wilson who had only wore No. 3 throughout his 13-year career. Wilson released a statement on Instagram thanking Banks for agreeing to the change.{{cite web| url=https://www.giants.com/news/russell-wilson-to-wear-no-3-deonte-banks-changes-to-no-2-jersey-uniform-number-swap-2025| access-date=May 19, 2025| website=Giants.com| date=April 3, 2025| title=Russell Wilson to wear No. 3; Deonte Banks changes to No. 2}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | |
| 2023 | NYG
| 15|| 15|| 64|| 53|| 11 || 0.0 || 11 || 2|| 6|| 3.0|| 6|| 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2024
!NYG |14 |14 |52 |39 |13 |0.0 |12 |0 |0 |0.0 |0 |0 |1 |0 | ||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BankDe00.htm Career] | 29 | 29 | 116 | 92 | 24 | 0.0 | 23 | 2 | 6 | 3.0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Twitter|IamDeonteBanks_}}
{{footballstats|espn=4428328|yahoo=40053|nfl=deonte-banks}}
- [https://www.giants.com/team/players-roster/deonte-banks/ New York Giants bio]
- [https://umterps.com/sports/football/roster/deonte-banks/10286 Maryland Terrapins bio]
{{2023 NFL Draft}}
{{GiantsFirstPick}}
{{Giants2023DraftPicks}}
{{New York Giants roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Banks, Deonte}}
Category:Maryland Terrapins football players
Category:Players of American football from Baltimore