New York Giants GM Joe Schoen has come under fire for how he has bungled some of their first-round picks in recent NFL Draft classes. After using top picks in consecutive seasons to select big-time busts like Evan Neal and Deonte Banks, it's understandable as to why exactly Giants fans soured on him.
The hiring of John Harbaugh, however, was done partially with the aim of maximizing what many believe to be a talented roster that is not punching at its weight class right now. It doesn't sound like Harbaugh and his new coaching staff have completely given up on the Banks experience.
New Giants DC Dennard Wilson, who is a fellow Maryland alum that scouting Banks during his time as Baltimore Ravens defensive backs coach, made it clear that he is giving the former top pick a chance to redeem himself.
"He's a talented player," Wilson said. "He's big. He can run. He brings an element of physicality, but he's had an up-and-down career thus far. Tae will have the opportunity to go out there and get better. We're going to put things on his plate, try to make things as simple as they can be in terms of conceptual teaching."
Giants hopeful Deonte Banks can turn things around in 2026
Physically, Banks has everything a DB coach could want. With a 6-2 frame and great speed, all the ingredients are there. Where he struggles is putting it all together, as the former No. 23 overall pick has had more success as a kick returner in his career than playing cornerback, which is a bit of a red flag.
On top of the fact that Banks graded out as a below-average cover-corner in his career, there have multipleinstances of poor effort when trying to tackle that rightfully earned him a spot in Brian Daboll's doghouse. Banks is unlikely to be with the Giants beyond this season, but Harbaugh will give him a shot.
Wth Paulson Adebo skipping voluntary workouts and Greg Newsome II brought in to replace Cor'Dale Flott, Banks may end up playing a bigger role in the secondary than most anticipated. Harbaugh, who is a former defensive backs coach, and Wilson are going to invest some developmental energy into fixing him.
This may be the last house on the block for Banks. If he can't play for Harbaugh and Wilson, it's hard to see another coching staff giving him the opportunity he needs to succeed.