March 26, 2026, 9:02 a.m. ET
The New York Giants‘ defensive struggles in 2025 were starkly highlighted by advanced metrics involving cornerback Deonte Banks.
Based on on/off splits recently shared by Justin Penik of Talkin’ Giants, the team’s EPA per play was eight times worse when Banks was on the field compared to when he was off it. This dramatic disparity shifted the Giants from an average defensive ranking around 18th in EPA per play without him to the league’s worst at 32nd with him on the field.
Banks, a first-round pick in 2023, saw limited starting opportunities last season, appearing in 16 games with just six starts as the Giants leaned on Paulson Adebo and Cor’Dale Flott in the secondary. His coverage issues persisted, contributing to poor overall defensive efficiency during his snaps.
Pro Football Focus data further highlights his challenges, marking him with the league’s worst grade among qualifying cornerbacks across his three NFL seasons and a high passer rating allowed when targeted.
As the Giants enter a pivotal 2026 campaign under new head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, Banks faces an uncertain future. Once viewed as a building block, he now requires significant development to contribute meaningfully, amid calls (and efforts) for roster upgrades at cornerback.
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While retired Giants great Carl Banks expressed optimism about his namesake’s potential productivity moving forward, the 2025 numbers paint a challenging picture for the young defender’s role in New York’s secondary.
