There hasn’t been much to get excited about when it comes to the New York Giants in 2023. After making a shocking run to the playoffs in the first season under head coach Brian Daboll, they are performing at the level many expected them to last season in Year 2.
The Giants are currently 1-4 and a real argument could be made that they are the worst team currently in the NFL. Their offensive line is producing at one of the lowest levels in NFL history, failing to protect Daniel Jones and leading to some disastrous results offensively. Defensively, things aren’t much better as New York has been blown out in all of their losses.
Their overall team grade at PFF is 51.6, easily the worst in the NFL; the next worst is the Denver Broncos at 60.5 and they lost a game 70-20 this season. Their offense grade of 52.7 is last in the NFL and their defensive grade of 56.4 is 29th.
However, if there is one bright spot on that side of the ball, it is rookie cornerback Deonte Banks. The No. 24 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Maryland drew some praise from Dalton Wasserman of PFF for his performance against the Miami Dolphins in a tough matchup in Week 5.
“Banks held up surprisingly well in coverage against Miami, allowing three catches for just 15 yards and one first down on a screen pass. He also had excellent coverage on Jaylen Waddle in the end zone for his lone pass breakup. Banks is getting a bit better with each passing week and has yet to give up a 20-plus-yard pass play. He is quietly improving.”
When Waddle matched up against Banks, he caught only two passes for 18 yards, with one pass breakup. When targeted overall, the first-round pick allowed a passer rating of only 16.8.
There have been plenty of cornerbacks to get embarrassed by Waddle on the field, but Banks was not one of them. His Week 5 grade of 73.2 is very strong considering the circumstances and his ability to limit big plays has been on display all season.
The Giants made a move up the board to select Banks at No. 24 overall and thus far, it has proven to be a smart decision. He is getting better every week, as Wasserman noted, and looks to be someone that New York will be able to build their secondary around for years to come.
