The New York Giants have signed cornerback Deonte Banks, the team’s first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, to his rookie contract.
The deal is worth $13.579 million over four years with a $6.875 million signing bonus. As is customary with first-round picks, it also includes a fifth-year team option.
In need of a cornerback entering April’s draft, general manager Joe Schoen didn’t leave things up to fate, trading up to No. 24 overall (with the Jacksonville Jaguars) to nab the highly athletic Banks.
“He’s a prototype from a size standpoint. He’s athletic. He’s physical. He can run. He ran 4.32 at the Combine. He has arm length, big hands,” Schoen said of Banks. “He’s been a four-year starter. He was hurt a year ago but he has played a lot of ball there at Maryland and schematically, he’s a good fit. And we spent a lot of time with him. Met with him at the Combine. He’s a guy that, you know, we went down to the pro day, and we spent a good amount of time with him, and again we felt comfortable with him.”
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale was shown on television after the Banks selection and he couldn’t hide his excitement.
“You guys know Wink’s defense and what he likes, and Deonte fits that mold ‘to a T.’ He was ecstatic,” Schoen added.
Banks had met with the Giants extensively during the pre-draft process and even accurately predicted the Giants would trade up for him.
Banks joins wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, running back Eric Gray, cornerback Tre Hawkins III, defensive tackle Jordon Riley and safety Gervarrius Owens as rookies from the team’s draft class that are now under contract.
Center John Michael Schmitz has not yet signed his rookie deal.
