Deonte Banks: More than just a press-man cornerback

The New York Giants have a very talented young cornerback in Deonte Banks, who GM Joe Schoen traded up one spot in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft to secure. Banks was a shutdown man-coverage cornerback at the University of Maryland and allowed just a 43.3% catch rate in his final season with the Terrapins.

Banks’ skill set was perfect for Wink Martindale’s press-man scheme, which prompted the former defensive coordinator to provide a hefty hug to Schoen after the Giants selected Banks.

The rookie cornerback played 53% of his passing snaps from a press alignment with Martindale. Banks allowed a 56.4% catch rate from press and a 57.6% catch rate in total. Much of his ball production came…