Maryland Terrapins defensive back Deonte Banks. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Giants move up one spot to take Maryland cornerback

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 4/28/23

Tied for last with the Las Vegas Raiders for the fewest interceptions in 2022, the New York Giants traded up one spot to select explosive Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Giants traded the No. 25 pick along with a fifth and seventh-round pick in 2023 to move up one spot.

Banks fits right into defensive coordinator Wink Martindale's aggressive defense. One of the most explosive athletes in the draft, Banks will be able to attack the line of scrimmage and cause havoc to the opposing team's passing game.

RD 1 | PK 24 - Giants: Deonte Banks CB, Maryland

Banks earned the 4th-highest athleticism score (98) of any cornerback prospect over the last decade after recording a 4.35 forty-yard dash, 11-foot-4 broad jump and 42-inch vertical at this year's combine. pic.twitter.com/kSqnmzYtYl
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) April 28, 2023

Giants general manager Joe Schoen was asked about the process behind the pick by Giants beat writer Art Stapleton.

"Wide receivers were coming off the board, so instead of getting cute and risk losing Deonte Banks, we traded up and got out guy," Schoen said.

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

Schoen also added that they would be willing to trade up again later in the draft to get players they felt like would help the Giants.

With seven more picks left in the draft, including two during Friday's second and third rounds, the Giants are in a position to continue building on last year's 9-7-1 record, which also included a playoff victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

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