They are their own and, as such, there is sentiment in the building to see them do well.
This is the way it is throughout the NFL. Draft picks, especially those taken in the high rounds, get special attention. Not special treatment — that would be unfair — but often, special considerations. They get the benefit of the doubt early in their careers because it makes everyone look bad when a player taken in the first or second round cannot cut it.
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This does not mean anyone is provided a free ride or a high pick is grandfathered into any job. It does mean they usually get more chances than a sixth- or seventh-round pick and certainly more leeway than an undrafted free agent.
This dynamic played out in real time this spring and summer with the Giants, as they brought back two former first-round picks for what could be characterized as a possible last spin around the block. Cornerback Deonte Banks, the 2023 first-round pick (24th overall), was entering the final year of his original rookie contract. Offensive lineman Evan Neal, one of two 2022 first-round picks for the Giants (he went No. 7 overall), played out his rookie deal and was re-signed to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal for $1.2 million.
These two players, once considered top prospects, were hanging on for their professional lives with the team that not long ago thought so highly of them. Both were considered failed draft picks of general manager Joe Schoen. It would not have come as much of a surprise if both of them were jettisoned and trying to figure things out in camps with different teams. Both were given an opportunity, with no assurances, by the new head coach, John Harbaugh, based on talent evaluations Harbaugh was privy to with the Ravens.
Giants cornerback Deonte Banks during practice. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
These were low-risk door openings. Come in, prove you are a better player than what you have shown the past few years and perhaps you get to stick around. Failure to do so meant the end of their Giants careers.
Heading into Friday night's final preseason game — the annual summer action with the Jets — one of these former first-round picks got it right and the other was expected to be among the players cut as the teams around the league get down to the 53-player limit by Sunday. Banks not only carved out a spot on the roster, but he is in the running for a starting role on defense. Neal faced longer odds and, although he showed progress at his new position — moving from right tackle to right guard — the numbers are not likely to tumble his way, as far as being included in the nine offensive linemen expected to make the final cut.
There is no doubt the front office executives who graded Banks and Neal so highly and decided they were worth first-round picks were pulling for both of them to turn things around. Pulling for them, and giving them an unfair advantage, are entirely separate scenarios, though.
"So, when we really get to training camp, and obviously Harbs has preached meritocracy, right?" assistant general manager Brandon Brown said this past week. "So, what has got you here is not necessarily going to keep you here, and you've got to have daily deposits. And it's really taking to the instruction and then highlighting the execution and knowing which guys have done it and then continuing to raise the floor in the room or earn a spot in the room.
"And just being objective, which guys are going to have the best opportunity to make an impact for us on game day, whether it's active, whether it's being on practice squad, and knowing that this is going to be the guy that we're going to go to battle with at the start of the season."
Banks earned it as one of the most consistent cornerbacks throughout camp. That turned out to be quite a revelation, given Banks' past issues with focus and effort. The physical skill set is there but Banks too often was on the scene to make a play and, for one reason or another, did not make it. The new defensive system installed by coordinator Dennard Wilson is more aggressive, in terms of press man coverage, and that suits Banks.
Neal started 13 games at right tackle as a rookie and the best that can be said about his performance was that it was uneven. He started only 14 games, total, the past two seasons, compromised by injuries and poor play. He did not play a single snap in 2025, resigned to healthy scratch status before going on injured reserve with a hamstring issue in mid-November. His great size and strength did not translate to any NFL success.
Neal stayed healthy this summer but mostly worked with the third-team offensive line. For once, the Giants assembled enough depth along the line to feel good about their backups. Veteran Aaron Stinnie outplayed Neal and is expected to claim a backup guard spot. Neal will not. Maybe he is signed to the practice squad. Being a high pick guarantees you a shot and little else.
