In a surprising twist during an otherwise tough 2025 season for the New York Giants, cornerback Deonte Banks picked up two votes for kick returner in the Associated Press NFL All-Pro voting — a rare bright spot for the team.
While edge rusher Brian Burns was the lone Giant to make the Second Team (garnering 57 votes, including 10 first-place nods), Banks’ nod as a return specialist stands out. The former first-round pick, who rarely handled kick returns since high school and did so just once in college, exploded onto the scene with 19 returns for 622 yards — posting a league-second-best average of 32.7 yards per return (trailing only Kene Nwangwu). He sealed his strong showing with a spectacular 95-yard touchdown return in Week 17, displaying elite speed and vision.
Pro Football Focus rewarded his efforts with an 86.3 grade as a returner, placing him in the “good to high-quality” tier, just below elite status. Special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial highlighted Banks’ commitment to ball security and setting up blocks, turning him into a legitimate game-changing weapon on returns.
The recognition is especially notable given Banks’ struggles on defense, where he recorded the Giants’ lowest PFF grade among cornerbacks at 42.4. Still, those two All-Pro votes signal his rising potential as a dynamic special teams threat. Left tackle Andrew Thomas also picked up one All-Pro vote for his position. Though Banks didn’t secure an official All-Pro spot, the votes highlight an unexpected silver lining in a challenging year for the Giants.
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