Now that the 2023 NFL Draft is a thing of the past, that doesn't mean that NY Giants fans aren't still fired up about the major haul from the weekend. At the top of the list, the addition of Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks at No. 24 overall is something that must continue to be celebrated.
With the way things shaped out in the first round, the Giants moving up one spot to select Banks was 100 percent the right call. Some people continue to call Joe Schoen out for it, but here's three reasons why we think the GM was spot on with his decision:
3. The NY Giants didn't reach at all in landing Deonte Banks
While there were some eye-popping picks that nobody but the team drafting the player saw coming, the Giants sat at No. 25 for most of the first round watching the board play out. After a late run on receivers just picks before the Giants were up, the Giants made sure they did not sit back and just hope that Banks would be there for them.
There were rumors of multiple teams potentially trading up ahead of the Giants to No. 24 to take Banks, so Schoen made his move. Banks was the top corner on the Giants board from the beginning and they did not have to make some trade into the Top 10 /15 to get him. The panic button was never hit.
They instead moved up one spot, traded late picks away, and got the CB stud they were hoping for. Banks will now line up opposite of Adoree' Jackson. This fact alone must have defensive coordinator Wink Martindale pretty dang fired up.
Schoen noted that the first-round players on their board were getting 'depleted' with Quentin Johnston, Jordan Addison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and others getting selected. Schoen remained calm and brought in a playmaker for the defense. There's nothing to complain about here.