Deonte Banks has turned his season into a real problem for the Giants - the kind of good problem that ends with a major contract decision.
A few months ago, Banks was part of a conversation about which former offseason bench player would be moved first, with edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux in the same discussion. That feels a lot different now. Banks has steadied himself under John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, and he’s been locking onto opposing top receivers while doing it.
That showed up again Sunday against the Texans. C.J.
Stroud threw Nico Collins’ direction five times, but the veteran wideout finished with just two catches for six yards against Banks. After the Giants’ overtime win, Banks said, “It felt great,” Banks said after the Giants’ overtime win.
“It’s a great thing. Because they trust me to follow their number one.”
NFL Next Gen Stats had Banks allowing four catches for 25 yards. For a player whose fifth-year option was declined earlier this year, that’s the kind of performance that changes the temperature of the conversation fast.
And the conversation is already shifting toward money.
The Giants now have less than five months to figure out whether Banks is truly breaking out or simply playing his way into a big contract year. They could use the franchise tag, but that doesn’t guarantee anything if Banks decides to wait for a better deal.
At his current pace, he’s lining himself up for exactly that kind of leverage. Banks has already been credited with 10 pass breakups, and he’s three away from matching a new career high. In the current NFL, that kind of jump usually leads to a multi-year deal with plenty of guaranteed money.
There’s no credible reporting yet tying Banks to a long-term extension in New York, but that doesn’t mean the wait will be easy for the Giants. He’s eligible to keep his options open and let the market come to him.
If the Giants do decide to pay him, the number won’t be small. Paulson Adebo’s $18 million per year is the benchmark, and a deal that puts Banks at $18.5 million annually would land around $55.5 million on a three-year contract. With that figure in play, it would make sense for New York to let the season breathe a little longer before making a call.
Banks’ rise has mattered even more with injuries piling up around him. Tremaine Edmunds has joined Brian Burns and Roy Robertson-Harris on season-ending injured reserve, and Jevon Holland missed Sunday’s game with a concussion. His status for the Nov. 8 meeting with the Eagles in Philadelphia is still unclear.
Meanwhile, Thibodeaux’s struggles continue. He dropped an interception Sunday and still hasn’t recorded his first tackle for a loss.
For the Giants, that’s the irony here: one move is starting to look like a win, and the other is still waiting to cash in.
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Abdul Carter Is Becoming The Giants Voice At The Perfect Time
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The timing could hardly be better for a team trying to hold its defense together through attrition. Micah McFadden has also been pushed into a bigger role at middle linebacker after Edmunds went down, and the Giants have seen signs that the next wave of defenders can steady things in the middle of all the upheaval. For a roster trying to stay organized while the injuries keep coming, having Carter grow into a voice the rest of the defense can follow is no small thing. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Suddenly Have An Isaiah Likely Question With J.J. McCarthy
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Likely finished with just two catches on four targets for 12 yards, a steep drop from his usual involvement and a reminder that usage can swing with both quarterback play and matchup. The next divisional test against the Eagles should tell the Giants more about where his role is headed, especially if Philadelphia gives him a cleaner path to work in space. [Read more 🡒]
Giants May Have Avoided A Brutal Cam Skattebo Situation
The Giants got a jolt in their overtime win over the Texans when Cam Skattebo ripped off a 42-yard run that helped swing the game, but there was a brief scare attached to it. Skattebo appeared to come up with a hamstring issue on the play, which immediately raised questions about how much damage he might have done while trying to finish off a big road victory.
For now, the early read is encouraging for New York. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the injury is not serious, and the timing works in the Giants' favor with a bye week before their next game, giving Skattebo extra recovery time before the Week 9 matchup with the Eagles. The Giants have plenty to sort out after an emotional win, but avoiding a longer-term setback for one of their most dynamic backs would be a major relief. [Read more 🡒]