Jan. 11, 2026, 7:02 a.m. ET
New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks earned two votes for kick returner in the Associated Press 2025 NFL All-Pro balloting, a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season.
While edge rusher Brian Burns was the only Giant selected to the Second Team with 57 votes (10 first-place votes), Banks’ recognition highlights his explosive impact on special teams.
Banks, who hadn’t consistently returned kicks since high school (just once in college), finished with 19 returns for 622 yards, averaging a league-second 32.7 yards per return behind Kene Nwangwu. He capped the year with a 95-yard touchdown in Week 17, showcasing game-changing speed and vision.
Pro Football Focus graded him 86.3 as a return specialist — falling in the “good/high quality” range, just shy of “elite.”
The votes stand in stark contrast to Banks’ defensive struggles, where he posted the Giants’ lowest overall PFF grade of 42.4 at cornerback.
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Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial praised Banks’ dedication to ball security and block setup, helping transform him into a dynamic weapon. Though no official All-Pro nod, the votes underscore his emerging potential as a return threat.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas also received a single All-Pro vote.
