PFF highlights Giants rookies vs. Lions
Friday's preseason opener in Detroit served as the first NFL game action for the Giants' 15-man rookie class.
Several of the team's first-year players put together strong performances against the Lions, including the team's first two draft picks.
Cornerback Deonte Banks, the 24th overall pick in this year's draft, was listed as one of the two starting cornerbacks, alongside veteran Adoree' Jackson, on the team's first unofficial depth chart early last week. Banks followed that up with a solid outing against the Lions.
The 6-foot-2 rookie corner was on the field for 22 coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. On the three passes throw in his direction, Banks did not allow a single reception while registering a 39.6 passer rating allowed.
"I thought our young guys, our corners (Banks and Tre Hawkins III) and our center (John Michael Schmitz Jr.), I thought they showed well in the game for us," coach Brian Daboll said Saturday. "Played with confidence, did their job, so it was good to see those young guys out there playing. They played at a fairly high level."
Banks landed on the NFL radar following a strong senior season at Maryland. The young cornerback registered an interception and eight passes defensed to go with his 38 total tackles (25 solo) and 0.5 sacks. But it was the 22-year-old's performance at the NFL Combine (4.35 40-yard dash, 42-inch vertical, 11-foot-4 inch broad) that truly solidified his status as one of the top cornerbacks in the draft.
As Daboll mentioned, the Giants' rookie center also played well in his first NFL game.
Schmitz was on the field for 19 pass block snaps against the Lions and did not allow a single pressure.
"He did a good job of communicating with his linemates and down the line of scrimmage, and with the snap, it was good," Daboll added about Schmitz. "It was actually pretty loud at times in there. So, for his first outing at center for us, I was pleased with the progress that he's made throughout camp, and I was pleased with his first game, and we've got to build on from that."
Similar to Banks, the 6-foot-4 center out of Minnesota was also listed among the first-team players on the first unofficial depth chart. Schmitz and Ben Bredeson, currently listed as the first-team left guard, have been competing during training camp for the starting center position.
Schmitz started all 13 games for the Golden Gophers in 2021 on his way to being named Second-Team All-Big Ten by the conference's coaches. But the center was at his best last year, as he started all 12 regular-season games and allowed just two sacks and eight total pressures on 302 pass block snaps. This led to him being named First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten.
View photos from the Giants' preseason opener against the Lions in Detroit.
TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Jason Pinnock (27), DT Brandin Bryant (69), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Jason Pinnock (27), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
RB James Robinson (24)
T Korey Cunningham (70), TE Tommy Sweeney (89), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
WR Cole Beasley (9)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
S Jason Pinnock (27)
RB James Robinson (24)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
LS Casey Kreiter (59), CB Cor'Dale Flott (28)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
CB Rodarius Williams (25), OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
K Graham Gano (9)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
S Alex Cook (23)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Jason Pinnock (27), DT Brandin Bryant (69), OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
K Graham Gano (9)
QB Tyrod Taylor (2)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)
K Graham Gano (9)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
ILB Carter Coughlin (52)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Darren Evans (35)
S Dane Belton (24)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
ILB Cam Brown (47)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37), S Dane Belton (24)
G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
RB Eric Gray (20)
CB Darnay Holmes (30)
G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5)
T Korey Cunningham (70), G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5),
T Korey Cunningham (70), G Ben Bredeson (68), C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75), QB Tommy DeVito (5),
WR Cole Beasley (9)
RB James Robinson (24)
G Ben Bredeson (68)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61), OL Joshua Ezeudu (75)
S Bobby McCain (21)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. (61)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
RB James Robinson (24), T Korey Cunningham (70)
S Bobby McCain (21)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53), ILB Micah McFadden (41), TE OLB Tomon Fox (49)
CB Gemon Green (34), CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Gemon Green (34), CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
ILB Micah McFadden (41)
OLB Oshane Ximines (53), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
QB Tommy DeVito (5)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
CB Rodarius Williams (25)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
WR Jamison Crowder (80)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
S Dane Belton (24), CB Deonte Banks (36), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24)
S Dane Belton (24), CB Deonte Banks (36), ILB Micah McFadden (41)
T Korey Cunningham (70), RB Jashaun Corbin (25), TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
ILB Micah McFadden (41), S Dane Belton (24)
T Korey Cunningham (70), RB Jashaun Corbin (25), TE Tommy Sweeney (89)
S Dane Belton (24)
K Graham Gano (9)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
CB Tre Hawkins III (37)
K Graham Gano (9)
RB Eric Gray (20)
G Wyatt Davis (67), G Jack Anderson (77), QB Tommy DeVito (5), G Shane Lemieux (66)
CB Deonte Banks (36)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
P Jamie Gillan (6)
RB Eric Gray (20)
WR David Sills V (13)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
WR David Sills V (13)
RB Eric Gray (20)
S Alex Cook (23)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), S Gervarrius Owens (31)
S Alex Cook (23)
ILB Troy Brown (46)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
ILB Troy Brown (46), S Gervarrius Owens (31), DT Jordon Riley (95), DT Kobe Smith (72)
WR David Sills V (13)
DT Kobe Smith (72)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tomon Fox (49)
Sean Harlow (65), QB Tommy DeVito (5), G Shane Lemieux (66)
ILB Dyontae Johnson (54)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
S Alex Cook (23)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
T Korey Cunningham (70)
S Gervarrius Owens (31)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38), S Alex Cook (23)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38), S Alex Cook (23)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
CB Darren Evans (35)
CB Amani Oruwariye (20)
CB Zyon Gilbert (38)
G Jack Anderson (77)
WR David Sills V (13)
G Wyatt Davis (67)
WR David Sills V (13)
G Jack Anderson (77)
G Wyatt Davis (67)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
RB Eric Gray (20)
RB Eric Gray (20)
G Wyatt Davis (67), Sean Harlow
K Graham Gano (9)
K Graham Gano (9)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
CB Darren Evans (35)
TE Ryan Jones (49)
WR Kalil Pimpleton (81)
WR David Sills V (13)
S Alex Cook (23)
G Jack Anderson (77)
S Alex Cook (23)
OLB Tashawn Bower (94), OLB Habakkuk Baldonado (45)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) tackles Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place-kicker Graham Gano (9) greets teammates after his field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll looks towards New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley runs during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) stiff arms Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is tackled by the New York Giants defense during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley (9) is tackled by Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (84) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) looks to pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (36) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) is tackled by New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (36) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) kicks off against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants running back Eric Gray (20) rushes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas, top, and cornerback Saivion Smith take down New York Giants wide receiver Jamison Crowder (80) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito passes the ball during pregame of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants tight end Tommy Sweeney, defended by Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), catches a 14-yard pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) passes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (5) passes during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) defends as New York Giants wide receiver Cole Beasley waits on the throw during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) break up a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Dylan Drummond (83) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano kicks a 48-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
S Xavier McKinney, DL Dexter Lawrence, CB Adoree' Jackson
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DB Nick McCloud
OT Evan Neal
DL Dexter Lawrence
OT Andrew Thomas
S Xavier Mckinney, DL Dexter Lawrence, CB Adoree Jackson
DB Alex Cook
DT Kobe Smith
ILB Micah McFadden
S Bobby McCain
LS Cameron Lyons
Head Coach Brian Daboll
WR Cole Beasley
OT Korey Cunningham
DB Alex Cook
CB Deonte Banks
CB Rodarius Williams
TE Daniel Bellinger
QB Tyrod Taylor
RB Matt Breida
DT Kobe Smith
RB Jashaun Corbin
DT Kobe Smith
FB Chris Myarick
RB Eric Gray
G Ben Bredeson
OT Tyre Phillips
QB Tyrod Taylor
G Shane Lemieux
OL John Michael Schmitz Jr.
WR Jaydon Mickens
WR Cole Beasley
QB Tyrod Taylor
G Ben Bredeson
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton
RB Eric Gray
RB Eric Gray
OT Matt Peart
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
ILB Carter Coughlin
WR Jalin Hyatt
ILB Carter Coughlin
DL Leonard Williams
DL Leonard Williams
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
View photos of the New York Giants' 2023 roster as it currently stands.
NT Dexter Lawrence II (97), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
CB Deonte Banks
RB Saquon Barkley
OLB Boogie Basham
LB Darrian Beavers
TE Daniel Bellinger
S Dane Belton
OL Ben Bredeson
RB Matt Breida
ILB Cam Brown
WR Parris Campbell
RB Jashaun Corbin
ILB Carter Coughlin
DL D.J. Davidson
QB Tommy DeVito
QB Jacob Eason
CB Cor'Dale Flott
P Jamie Gillan
G Mark Glowinski
RB Eric Gray
OL Sean Harlow
CB Tre Hawkins III
WR Isaiah Hodgins
CB Darnay Holmes
DL Timmy Horne
WR Jalin Hyatt
CB Adoree' Jackson
TE Tyree Jackson
LS Casey Kreiter
DL Dexter Lawrence
CB Nick McCloud
ILB Micah McFadden
OL Marcus McKethan
S Xavier McKinney
DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
OLB Azeez Ojulari
ILB Bobby Okereke
WR Gunner Olszewski
S Gervarrius Owens
OL Justin Pugh
DL Jordon Riley
DL A'Shawn Robinson
OT Matt Peart
WR Wan'Dale Robinson
C John Michael Schmitz Jr.
WR Sterling Shepard
S/ILB Isaiah Simmons
WR Darius Slayton
QB Tyrod Taylor
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Andrew Thomas
TE Darren Waller
OLB Jihad Ward
OLB Benton Whitley
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