247NEWS: Former Giants land $11.6 million from veteran tight..

The New York Giants are now waiting to receive about $11.6 million from veteran tight end Darren Waller’s anticipated retirement, which has left them in a financial and strategic limbo. With Adoree Jackson gone, their secondary is still largely inexperienced in the meantime.

The Giants may take a close look at a number of experienced players to strengthen their defensive backfield, most notably Stephon Gilmore, who has proven to be a dependable cornerstone. Gilmore has played over 1,000 snaps in each of the past two seasons and will start at cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 following Trevon Diggs’ ACL tear.

The Giants are quite confident in Deonte Banks, a second-year defensive back from Maryland, as the 2024 season draws near. Although Banks’ first season was full of highs and lows, he showed promise.

He is one of the league’s most physically gifted cornerbacks at the age of 23, despite allowing 644 yards with four touchdowns last season in addition to two interceptions and six pass breakups. After Jackson was moved to the slot by the Giants, Banks was put in charge of coverage against some of the best receivers in the NFL as a CB1.

The Giants Are Watching Deonte Banks’ Progress
Among the tough opponents Banks faced during his NFL debut were elite players like DaVante Adams, who scored 110 yards against him, as well as CeeDee Lamb, Garrett Wilson, and Terry McClaurin. Even though it’s difficult for any cornerback to dominate All-Pro receivers, Banks showed resiliency and gained insightful knowledge about the mental toughness needed to succeed in the highest levels of competition.

Banks gains from practicing every day against one of the top receivers in the league now that Malik Nabers is a member of the club, adhering to the Giants’ offseason mantra of “iron sharpens iron.” As the Giants adjust to new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who was previously the Tennessee Titans’ coordinator, this preparation is essential.

Compared to 2023’s man-coverage strategy, Bowen’s scheme promotes a more zone-heavy approach. It anticipates less aggression and a greater dependence on the front four to provide pass rush, which lessens the necessity for complex sub-packages that previously used defensive backs and linebackers to create pass rush.

The Giants want for Banks to shadow top receivers in order to minimize their influence and optimize his own, even though he might see less man-coverage.

But there’s competition for the spot opposite Banks, where the front-runners are Nick McCloud and Cor’Dale Flott. Though largely untested, both have potential. To improve competitiveness and preparedness, the Giants may need to add a seasoned veteran to the mix, or they may be hopeful about their own progress.