I think the biggest concern that I have with Deonte Banks is that he was the CB2 at Maryland and didn’t often cover the opposing teams #1 receiver. That being said, Banks was very good at taking away opposing teams #2 receivers. Banks was a shutdown on the opposite side, allowing just a 43% completion percentage against him. That being said, he’s not much of a ball hawk but will try to impact the catch point with physicality over anything else. 

The upside to Deonte Banks’ game is whether or not he can expand his man coverage ability and show the sticky coverage ability that you want to see. Once he understands positioning better, Banks will be a solid cornerback in the NFL. The real question is if he will ever be more than a cornerback two, or if he’s a very strong complimentary piece to a secondary. I’m leaning toward the latter. 

An example (against Ohio State) of the type of physicality #Maryland CB Deonte Banks brings to the table as a press-man corner. Love his fit in Detroit, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh.

Shouldn’t get outside of the top-20. pic.twitter.com/LQZBLEV0kQ

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) March 20, 2023

Banks missed most of the 2021 season with a shoulder injury. 

Deonte Banks’ scouting report

Athletic Ability (40)

Speed/Athleticism: 20

• Speed (8/10) – Decent, not great, speed. Tested phenomenally at the Combine. Doesn’t look that fast on tape. 
• Lateral Quickness (3.5/5) – Seems fairly quick laterally. Moves well. Smooth athlete. 
• Acceleration (4.5/5) – Acceleration is top notch. Gets up to speed ridiculously quick. 

Strength: 15 

• Upper Body Strength (3.5/5) – Has some very good upper body strength. Can jam and press very well. 
• Lower Body Strength (4.5/5) – Ridiculously explosive. Numbers were absolutely insane at the NFL Combine. It’s just not something that I really see consistently on tape. 
• Brute Power (3/5) – Has some brutish tendencies to his game, but isn’t really. Simply likes to punish people when he gets beat. 

Hip Flexibility: 15

• Change of Direction (8/10) – Changes direction very well. Smooth hips for the most part.
• Recovery (3.5/5) – Certainly shows some recoverability, just tends to panic too quickly for my liking. 

Defender Ability (15)

Tackling: 10 

• Tackling Ability (4.5/6) – Good tough wrap up tackler. Willing and wants to engage. Shows a willingness to track down and punish ball carriers. Can be passive in run defense, mostly wants to punish receivers who make catches over him. 
• Space Defending (2.5/4) – Not very willing to defend in space if he doesn’t have to. 

Pursuit: 5

• Pursuit Angles (4/5) – Struggles to work through traffic. Otherwise takes good pursuit angles and doesn’t often miss. 

Coverage Ability (30)

Man Coverage: 10

• Coverage Ability (4.5/7) – Not great man coverage, struggles with positioning and then locating the ball. Doesn’t react to timing routes as adequately as he could in man. 
• Physicality (1.5/3) – Tends to get ultra grabby when he starts to get beat. Was called for ten penalties in 2022. 

Zone Coverage: 15 

• Coverage Ability (5/7) – Didn’t play a lot of zone, but when he did he looked decent at it. Mostly played in deep zone situations. Not so much of a ball hawk, has just two career interceptions. Plays downhill very well. 
• Recognition (2/3) – Quick to react and recognize concepts. Didn’t work well through traffic. 

Press Coverage: 10 

• Coverage Ability (5/7) – Decent press, struggles to change direction well enough. Likes to settle into mirror technique and trail. 
• Physicality (2.5/3) – Has a good jam technique and can really secure receivers well. 

Overall: (81) – 1st/2nd Round