Big Blue View
The New York Giants invested $54 million over three years in Paulson Adebo to solidify a shaky cornerback room that regressed in 2024. The primary cause of regression was the inability of 2023 first-round pick Tae Banks to meet expectations.
After showing promise in his rookie season, Banks was benched last season and was openly criticized by position coach Jerome Henderson for his lack of effort — a criticism that deserved public acknowledgment.
Banks allowed an impressively low 57.6% completion rate in 2023 with two interceptions and six passes batted down. His trajectory was ascending but he took a step back in 2024, allowing a 67.1% catch rate with no interceptions, but he did make eight plays on the football.
Honestly, Banks surrendered catches and six touchdowns, but many were in tight coverage; it wasn’t as if Banks was getting toasted, rather his struggles with locating the football at the catch point were exploited by top-notch receivers in the league.
Still, six touchdowns was tied for the most in the NFL last season. In those tight-window situations, quarterbacks posted a 139.7 passer rating when targeting him. Banks is in phase, but he’s poor at locating the football while in good coverage.
The Justin Jefferson, Amari Cooper (first one), and Terry McLaurin (first one) touchdowns were all tight window throws with solid coverage. As the season progressed, Banks began to guess more and seemed less confident in his technique. The struggles could be attributed to something mental, but that’s conjecture on my end.
The addition of Adebo takes a burden off Banks’ shoulders, and now the former New Orleans Saints corner can assume number one responsibilities as the 23-year-old Banks attempts to salvage his career path under new Giants’ secondary coach Marquand Manuel.
The biggest question for the Giants’ cornerback room is Tae Banks. If Banks can put 2024 behind him and show positive development, it would be a huge win not just for the Giants but for Joe Schoen and his track record on first-round picks.
Cor’Dale Flott is entering a contract year after a somewhat slow start to his career, which was to be expected. Flott is only 23 years old and was historically thin for his 6-foot-1 frame when the Giants selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Flott played better down the stretch of the 2024 season and has flashed throughout his career, albeit the flashes are dim. The question is — Can Flott take a step forward independent of Banks’ success, but especially if Banks fails? Can Flott be relied on?
Also, can Flott man the nickel role if something happens to Dru Phillips, who had a solid rookie season? Flott is in the interesting spot of possibly being the direct backup to Adebo, Banks, and Phillips at the nickel. And behind Flott, there is little proven talent, so Flott — although not starting — is in a unique spot to play a crucial role...
