Deonte Banks hasn't been stellar in his second season with the New York Giants. While the advanced stats suggest he's barely playable, it's been his noticeable lack of effort that's been leading the speculative trade discussions.
Banks, a former first-round pick in 2023, no longer appears committed to the Giants.
Once touted as the future cornerstone of the secondary, the initial excitement around him has faded, leaving fans and teammates to take his actions at face value.
It all began when Banks was burned by Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb. The blown coverage was one thing, but his lack of effort to make the tackle afterward really drew attention. Unfortunately, the lack of effort wasn't a standalone incident. Against the Philadelphia Eagles, he just stopped attempting to tackle Justin Hurts. The Giants' defense didn’t take kindly to Banks' poor effort and carelessness.
On Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Banks found himself under fire once again, ultimately leading to his benching. Daboll’s frustration peaked when Banks displayed poor technique, allowing Steelers running back Najee Harris to hurdle him for a big gain.
Although Banks has shown flashes of star potential, his overall demeanor and effort have been disappointing. The Giants' season hasn't gone as planned, but it's a privilege to play for the G-Men, and it seems like he's more interested in cashing checks than helping this team.
Banks may not be circulating in trade rumors just yet, but another lackluster performance could bring his time in New York to an abrupt end. Should the Giants decide to move him, these three teams could jump at the chance to acquire him.
3 trade destinations for Deonte Banks
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers might seem like a team ready to sell at the trade deadline, but adding talent now could be a smart, forward-thinking move for a roster lacking depth across the board. They already have a cornerstone at cornerback in Jaycee Horn, yet bolstering the opposite side with a reliable, long-term option could provide a much-needed boost to their eighth-worst passing defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are another team that could call Joe Schoen and the Giants about Banks' future in New York. It's no secret the Jags struggle in pass defense, allowing 271.1 yards per game. Tyson Campbell is an intriguing young corner, but his counterpart, Ronald Darby) is getting older. They could look to fortify the position for the future by pivoting in a younger direction.
New England Patriots
Another struggling team? This is crazy. The Patriots have found one answer at cornerback in Christian Gonzalez. The second-year pro looks every bit like a future Pro Bowler. New England, much like the Jaguars, has an aging cornerback in Jonathan Jones, who could be replaced by Banks. Jones, no stranger to trade speculation himself, is not the future at the position. The Pats could look for a younger option to pair with Gonzalez to form a tenacious duo for the future.