2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Deonte Banks (CB – Maryland)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Deonte Banks.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Deonte Banks (CB – Maryland)

Deonte Banks (CB – Maryland)

6’2” – 205 lbs.

Background:

Was a major contributor in his first season at Maryland, starting eight games and playing heavily in another, totaling 478 snaps on the year and allowing 14/21 passing for 175 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and two breakups. Started four of five games played in the shortened 2020 season, allowing 8/17 passing for 99 yards and breaking up one throw, then missed almost all of the 2021 season with a shoulder injury. Returned to the starting lineup this past year and limited opponents to 26/60 passing for 258 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, and eight breakups.

Positives:

Tall and long-limbed cornerback who looks the part of a boundary player at the next level. Has plenty of starting experience and made his senior year his most impressive; teams really respected him in man coverage, rarely looking in his direction. Lined up on both sides of the field in both man (often press) and zone coverage. Has clean footwork and adequate balance on his backpedal, and was asked to do so frequently in school. Provides pretty tight man coverage on routes across the field; fast enough to stick with many opponents on crosses and over routes. Squeezes receivers when defending on outside releases from the short side. Good timing and technique to go for the breakup when targeted, and made significant strides in the number of plays he made on the ball this past year. Has a pretty solid closing burst to get back in-phase, with impressive length. Significantly cleaned up his tackling as a senior; missed roughly 17% of tackles over his first two seasons, then just 2.8% in 2022.

Negatives:

Looks more reactive than anticipatory at times. Could stand to improve the way he processes route combinations from zone. Certainly has at least adequate twitch and explosiveness, but does leave some opportunities for timing-based throws out of the break. Some minor balance issues. Turns around instead of into receivers, leading to wasted motion. Only intercepted two career passes. Was flagged eight times this past year. Shoulder injury will require further medical investigation at the combine.

Summary:

A big cornerback with a clean backpedal, solid man-coverage skills, and reliable tackling, he may not be the biggest playmaker at the position in this year’s class, with just two career interceptions, but has the potential to develop into a starting cornerback on the outside if he continues to hone his route-recognition skills/anticipation. Appears to have worked his way into the second-day conversation with a strong recovery from his season-ending shoulder injury in 2021.

Projection: Round 3