Why the Giants declined fifth-year option of cornerback Deonte Banks, and what happens next
New York made the right call to decline Banks' option
NFL teams faced a key decision deadline on May 1: whether or not to pick up the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of their 2023 first-round picks.
Twenty players' options were picked up, two players inked long-term extensions and nine saw their fully guaranteed fifth-year options declined. One player who was told to put up or shut up after their option was declined was New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks. Banks' career has devolved every year in the NFL. As a rookie in 2023, Banks picked off two passes and totaled 11 passes defended along with 64 tackles in 15 games played, all starts. His 2024 season didn't involve any interceptions, but Banks forced his only fumble with 52 tackles in 14 games played all starts.
Then, the Giants took away his starting spot by signing New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo to a three-year, $54 million contract with $34.75 million guaranteed in the 2025 offseason while also promoting 2022 third-round pick Cordale Flott to the other outside cornerback spot. Banks played in 16 of 17 games in 2025 with just six starts, and he recorded five passes defended, no interceptions or forced fumbles and 31 tackles. Each season, Banks' passer rating against as the primary defender in coverage worsened, per TruMedia. He posted a 67.5 rating in 2023, a 90.6 rating in 2024 and a career-worst 111.8 rating in 2025. Banks' 111.8 rating in 2025 ranked 206th out the NFL's 208 players with at least 35 passes thrown their way last season.
Why the Giants declined Banks' option and what's next
The fifth-year option is a one-year, fully guaranteed salary for the fifth season of a first-round pick's career. The money their fifth-year option is worth is based on a number of factors including what position they play. If a player receives multiple Pro Bowl selections in their first three years in the league, they will earn a significant amount of money. That fully guaranteed base salary would be equivalent to the franchise tender at their respective position, per Over The Cap. If a player makes just one Pro Bowl, they will earn the equivalent of the transition tender at their position. There are two structures -- "playtime" and "basic" -- that also factor into a player's salary.
Why the Giants declined Banks' option, which would have been worth $12.633 million fully guaranteed in 2026, is simple: he has regressed throughout each season in the NFL. New York also made sure to restock their cornerback position in the 2026 offseason to avoid a situation where Banks would have to start. They signed 2021 first-round pick cornerback Greg Newsome II to a one-year, $8 million contract this offseason, and they drafted Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood 37th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Best- and worst-case scenarios for the Giants and Banks
New York would be throwing a party if it can somehow trade Banks this offseason for a late-round pick to a team that still lacks cornerback depth. If the Giants are unable to do so, Banks will likely face another year as a depth option should injuries break out at the cornerback position before they let him walk as an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
The best-case scenario for Banks individually would be for him to display the talent that led to him being the 24th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and overtake Newsome for a starting job in training camp. His worst-case scenario is remaining on the Giants as a backup after training camp and being unable to earn anything outside of a prove-it deal as a 2027 free agent.
