Pro Football Focus recently listed New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks among 15 potential trade candidates heading into the 2026 NFL offseason, citing persistent struggles in coverage despite early expectations.
The Giants have gained a sudden impetus of optimism after hiring John Harbaugh as their head coach. Harbaugh and incumbent general manager Joe Schoen will be tasked with upgrading remaining liabilities on the roster, with cornerback certainly an area of need.
When New York picked Banks in the 2023 first round, pundits expected that they had landed a lockdown cornerback; instead, he’s been the inverse. Among cornerbacks to play 2,000 or more snaps over the last three seasons, Banks owns the worst overall PFF grade (43.8) with the third-highest passer rating when targeted (110.9).
Schoen invested $54 million in Paulson Adebo last offseason, but the Giants concluded this past year 26th in overall grade at corner. Cutting ties with the 24-year-old Banks in the hopes of adding a better player feels shrewd.
While Banks has underwhelmed defensively, he earned recognition elsewhere, receiving two All-Pro votes as a kick returner following the 2025 season.
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That special teams value could intrigue suitors, though it remains difficult to envision teams surrendering significant assets for him unless they view him primarily as a dynamic return specialist rather than a starting cornerback.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants’ Deonte Banks named an offseason trade candidate