Giants CB Deonte Banks Sharpening His Skills Against Receiver Malik Nabers

Deonte Banks wants to be the best at his position, and he gets to test his skills daily against a pretty good receiver.

Jul 25, 2024; East Rutherford, NY, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9) and cornerback Deonte Banks (3) react after a drill during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. / Lucas Boland-USA TODAY Sports

Despite being in just his second year in the NFL, New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks is already taking a leadership role.

The Giants selected Banks as a first-round pick in 2023, and he established himself as a top cornerback immediately.

In 2023, Banks played 844 snaps defensively–325 more snaps than any other returning cornerback on the team.

He allowed 53 catches on 92 targets for 644 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 84.7, the fifth-lowest allowed for qualified rookie cornerbacks in 2023.

“I’m just giving them everything I can,” the man of few words told reporters after Thursday’s training camp practice. “I want to be that leader, so I’m trying to take that leadership role.”

Banks matched up with rookie first-round pick Malik Nabers in the first two days of training camp. So far, the results have been split, though. On Thursday, Nabers got the better of his teammates both in one-on-one situations and in team drills.

If Banks had his way, he’d win every matchup. But he also realizes that losing a few here and there will serve as a lesson and help him improve.

“I like competing against Leek,” he said. “It’s just a good matchup. We’re both competing. We are both quick and fast. It’s fun.”

For Giants fans who believe iron sharpens iron, it’s a good sign to consistently have the previous two first-round picks battle (and talk trash while they do it).

---

• Follow and like us on Facebook.
• Submit your questions for our mailbag.
• Follow on Instagram.
• Check out the Giants Country YouTube Channel.