John Harbaugh quickly put the focus on struggling former first-round pick Deonte Banks, after the New York Giants got a steal when they took Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood with 37th pick near the top of the second round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, April 24, Harbaugh was blunt about 2023 first-rounder Banks, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. The head coach admitted “Banks. hasn’t played that great. He’d tell you that. But is he capable of playing a lot better? I think he is.”
Those words are a direct challenge to Banks, whose career has been blighted by accusations of a lack of effort and inconsistencies that left one high-profile former teammate close to choking the underachieving defensive back.
Banks must heed Harbaugh’s implicit challenge because Duggan also reported general manager Joe Schoen “said they’re going to talk about that decision next week.”
“That decision” being whether or not to pick up Banks’ fifth-year option by the May 1 deadline. The choice probably got a lot easier after the Giants found Hood still on the board.
Colton Hood’s First-Round Talent Gives Giants Better Options
Hood’s presence gives Harbaugh and Schoen better options regarding Banks and his future. Specifically, they now have a cover corner who is the polar opposite of Banks.
While the latter has become known for a chronic lack of physicality, particularly in one key area, Hood’s game is defined by aggression. The 21-year-old was notably called a “Press-man bully with an ability to put his stamp on the first and last phases of the snap. Hood plays with a disruptive punch and gets his hands on most releases,” by NFL.com Analyst Lance Zierlein.
Although Zierlein did caution that Hood might lose “shifty” pro wide receivers in space, the player’s “Physicality also shows up in run support, where he triggers downhill with stopping power and finishes like an extra safety.”
The Giants have acquired a willing disruptor for a more handsy brand of coverage. A prospect who was mocked as a first-rounder by many draft observers, including ESPN’s Matt Miller and The Ringer’s Todd McShay.
Hood projects as a first-round talent, but the Giants have been burned by one of those before. Now Banks seems closer than ever to the exit door.
Time Running Out for Deonte Banks
He still needs to prove himself at the pro level, only this time to a new regime. That won’t be easy when Harbaugh already sounds willing to call out underperformance and move on, if necessary.
The necessity can be taken care of by Hood quickly making a good impression. It will also help if veteran Paulson Adebo can stay fully healthy.
If there’s one saving grace for Banks, it’s the lack of credible options elsewhere across the depth chart. That harsh reality could lead the Giants to decide Banks’ $12.6 million option is worth paying, despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
Paying up will be a tough sell to fans who’ve witnessed Banks flatter to deceive since entering the league. Maybe Schoen and Harbaugh will decided they’ll rely on Hood’s potential, improvement from 2024 third-round pick Dru Phillips, and the possibility of adding an experienced corner during the remainder of free agency.
Whatever they decide, this year’s Giants decision-makers aren’t likely to have as much patience with Banks as in the past.
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