Big Board ranking: #49
Positional ranking: #9
Overview
Position: CB
College: Maryland
Class: Senior
Age: 22
Measurables
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 197 lbs.
Arm length: 31 3/8”
Hand size: 9 3/8”
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: 4.35 sec.
10-yard split: 1.49 sec.
Vertical jump: 42.0”
Broad jump: 136.0”
Bench press: N/A
3-cone drill: N/A
Short shuttle: N/A
Strengths
Phenomenal athleticism and explosiveness. Outstanding speed and strength. Very comfortable in close press coverage. Physical early in routes. Excellent diagnosing/reading routes in man coverage and isn’t fooled by creativity. Tremendous ability to defend vertical routes. Gets his head around while running with receivers. Has the confidence to locate the ball early. Very confident in general. Always seems to be positioned well in coverage. Stays on top of opponents at the catch point without committing penalties. Fast in the backpedal and smooth switching to shuffle or sprint. Forces opponents to the sideline on outside releases. Impressive awareness and communication in zone coverage. Great burst to break on the ball. Has experience on both sides of the formation. Saw some snaps in the slot. Should have increased upside for interceptions despite just two of them across four seasons. Very good ability to shed blocks on the perimeter. Aggressive getting low to lift or undercut bigger ball-carriers.
Weaknesses
Slower reacting to route breaks in off coverage. Needs to clean up footwork when giving a cushion to be more efficient with his steps. Has trouble sticking with over routes. Will tug on the jersey if he loses a step. Would like to see more aggressive pursuit away from the play. Lost perimeter contain to allow game-sealing touchdown versus Michigan (2022).
NFL comparison
Vontae Davis
Conclusion
Overall, Banks is a strong and athletic press cornerback with a great combination of physicality and cover talent. He should be at his best in a perimeter heavy role for a defense that will play both man and zone coverage.