New York Giants select Deonte Banks in first round of 2023 NFL Draft

Deonte Banks has found a new home through the 2023 NFL Draft, as the former Mayland Terrapins star was selected with the No. 24 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

The star defensive back spent four seasons with Maryland, shutting down opponents wide receiving corps throughout his career. He doesn’t have the gaudy numbers many have come to expect, last season he accumulated 38 total tackles, eight pass deflections and one interception, but that’s because opposing quarterbacks refused to throw his way.

Now, Banks is ready to take his game to the next level in the NFL, where he’ll hope to become one of the top defensive backs in the entire league.

Deonte Banks is a former three-star recruit out of Edgewood (MD) who was the No. 886 recruit in the nation during the 2019 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s proven the Terrapins right for believing in him, and everyone who doubted him wrong by becoming as phenomenal of a player as he is.

The former Maryland star has a bright future at the next level. Deonte Banks is about to make a huge name for himself moving forward.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Deonte Banks

Moreover, NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein examined each and every prospect prior to April’s event, and he came away impressed with Deonte Banks’ abilities.

“Perimeter corner with desired blend of size, strength and athleticism,” started Zierlein. “Banks is capable of release disruption from press. He plays with smooth hips and easy feet to pedal and glide around the field. He’s capable of matching the release and running with his opponent. However, he struggles to play with poise and awareness when his back is to the football.

“He needs to play with better route anticipation and reactive quickness at the break point, but his eye-popping NFL Scouting Combine testing and scheme versatility should create interest from a wide range of NFL teams. Banks has first-round traits and could become a CB1 if he can play with better discipline when challenged.”

Evidently, Zeirlien believes Banks can ascend to become one of the better defensive backs the league has to offer, which is exactly what the team that drafted him is looking for. If you doubted his abilities before, don’t make the same mistake again.