New York Giants OTAs continued on June 12, and there was a notable change on the defensive side involving former first-round cornerback Deonte Banks.
The Athletic’s NYG beat reporter Dan Duggan noted it for fans during a post-practice write-up, stating: “Deonte Banks and [Cor’Dale] Flott split reps as the starting outside cornerback opposite Paulson Adebo.”
“That’s an interesting development coming off of Banks’ disappointing second season,” Duggan continued. “And it’s not as if Banks’ reps were being limited, because he worked with the second-team defense during some periods.”
“Odds are Banks will be a starter — the 2023 first-round pick is more talented than Flott,” the beat reporter acknowledged. Concluding: “But there’s nothing wrong with making Banks earn the starting job he’s held for the past two years despite displaying an alarming lack of effort at times last season.”
Giants CB Cor’Dale Flott Appears to Have Inside Track at the Main Backup Role Amid Deonte Banks Competition
Although this isn’t the best news for Banks, it’s tremendous news for Flott, who some believed could be competing for the main backup role in the cornerback room this summer.
At this time, it appears Flott has the inside track to back up Banks and Adebo, assuming he doesn’t steal the starting job from the scuffling first-round talent. Plus, as a bonus, Flott has shown an ability to man the slot when needed, and is versatile enough to back up Dru Phillips as well.
With all that in mind, the Giants’ best alignment in the secondary in terms of talent and fit is probably to have Adebo and Banks start along the boundaries, with Phillips in the slot and Flott as the fourth man and Swiss army knife.
But it seems they won’t just hand Banks the job. He’ll have to earn it, and as Duggan alluded, that’s the right way to go about it.
New CB1 Paulson Adebo Looks Healthy at Giants OTAs
There was another major note from Duggan when it came to the Giants’ cornerback room.
“Adebo’s reps haven’t been managed at all in his return from the broken femur he suffered in October,” the beat writer relayed. “Adebo said his recovery is going great, so he wants to be on the field as much as possible.”
This is huge news for the Giants as it’s clear Adebo is now the frontman for this entire NYG secondary, even more so than safeties Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin.
Big Blue defensive coordinator Shane Bowen needs Adebo to step up and shut down the opponent’s top playmaker most weeks, and that makes him one of the more key pieces on this roster heading into 2025.
Coming off of major injury, there was some worry about what Adebo would be for the Giants, but this spring he’s proven himself as the clear CB1.
Giants’ Pass Rush Looks Ferocious at OTAs — But Training Camp Will Tell Real Story
Working hand in hand with the secondary will be the Giants’ pass rush, which is expected to only rush four players more often than not. This should allow for more defenders to drop back in coverage.
On Thursday, June 12, the Giants’ pass rush was on fire.
“The quarterbacks were under constant pressure Thursday,” reported Duggan. However, he also made sure to note that “it’s tricky to evaluate line play in ‘non-contact’ practices.”
Despite that caveat, Duggan described the Big Blue pass rush as “overwhelming at times.” And this was without star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and former first-round edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux practicing.
“[Brian] Burns and rookie outside linebacker Abdul Carter were each in the backfield multiple times for potential sacks,” the reporter recalled. “Carter got one of his pressures on a blitz, as he continues to line up all over the field.”
Duggan also credited linebacker Darius Muasau and defensive lineman Elijah Garcia with would-be sacks, and Burns and newcomer Chauncey Golston with pass breakups at the line of scrimmage.
The real test for this Giants defensive front will begin at training camp, and then even more so during the preseason. Needless to say, the expectations are through the roof.
