Cover 3: First thing to look for at training camp

Matt Citak: In order for a team to develop, it needs its draft picks to step up. This begins with first-round picks who are expected to contribute right away because of their draft position. That is why the first thing I will look for at training camp is the performance of cornerback Deonte Banks and wide receiver Malik Nabers, and how the two match up against each other.

Banks essentially served as the team’s No. 1 cornerback during his rookie season, despite the presence of veteran Adoree’ Jackson. Banks found himself on an island against the opposing team’s top wide receiver week in and week out. While he endured some bumps along the way, he showed enough promise that the Giants felt comfortable going into the 2024 campaign with him sitting atop the CB depth chart. During his rookie season, Banks earned a passer rating against of 84.7, according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked 24th out of 74 qualified cornerbacks, while allowing a 57.6 completion rate (53 receptions allowed on 92 targets). He also ranked third among all cornerbacks in fewest receptions over expected allowed at -6.7, according to Next Gen Stats.

Then there’s the rookie receiver, who comes to the Giants with potentially more hype than any other Giants prospect in recent memory. Nabers was electric at LSU last year, recording 89 receptions for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns while leading the nation in 10+ yard plays, 20+ yard plays and 30+ yard plays. It didn’t take long for the 20-year-old to dazzle us this spring, as he made incredibly athletic catches on a near daily basis, including a couple of jaw-dropping touchdown grabs during OTAs. Nabers put up quite the performance throughout the spring, showing that he has the potential to elevate the entire offense right out of the gate.

It’s fair to say that both young players could help transform their respective units this season, which is why the battles between the two in training camp should be wildly entertaining. Unlike in the spring when contact is not permitted, Banks will be able to get right up in the face of the rookie wideout and press him at the line of scrimmage. The competitions between Banks and Nabers will be fun to watch, but more importantly, it should help both players grow as they prepare for the start of the season.