'Can't play scared. Can't back down': Go inside the mind of NY Giants rookie Tae Banks

EAST RUTHERFORD - Tae Banks is not intimidated by daunting coverage assignments on the football field.

Names have never mattered, not since the rookie cornerback for the New York Giants laced up his cleats for the first time with the Parkside Warriors, a youth program in Baltimore. The talent of the player he is asked to cover means more than hype and a resume, but don't think for a second that Banks is afraid of that challenge.

Next up in the gauntlet of star wide receivers he has already faced this season: the Jets' Garrett Wilson, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Banks has stared down the talent of the likes of DK Metcalf, Jaylen Waddle, Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin.

He has been solid all season, and he has been fueled by his competition against the best. Those battles have produced wins and losses. How Banks responds down to down is most impressive.

And to truly appreciate the mindset of a 22-year-old ascending player, speak to those who were there for his transition from a teenager who relied on his gifts to a confident first-round draft pick who is still learning how to use every tool on his belt.

"This is what Tae is all about: there is this confidence he has, he's not scared," Maryland cornerbacks coach Henry Baker told NorthJersey.com shortly after the Giants traded up one spot to select him in the NFL Draft this spring. "Doesn't matter who you put across from him. Names don't matter. Reputations don't matter. He respects all, but you give him a look, and he'll tell you straight: 'Me versus you, bet on me, shorty.'"

Banks has a compact frame (6-foot, 197 pounds) with above-average length, and his short-area quickness is elite. He's physical and instinctive, too. Banks' story, like it or not, comes with the added theme of having to overcome the draft busts of corners Eli Apple (No. 10 overall, 2016) and DeAndre Baker (No. 30 overall, 2019).

Neither finished out his rookie contract with the Giants, Baker is currently out of the league and Apple, now in Miami after finding a home the last two seasons in Cincinnati, has not lived up to the expectations of a Top 10 pick.

Last season's success of the Jets' Sauce Gardner and the Seahawks' Tariq Woolen shattered what had been a league trend: rookie corners tend to struggle to overcome what has historically been a steep learning curve. Gardner wound up winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and was the first rookie corner to be named to the AP All-Pro team in 40 years.

"I think that he's doing the things that we thought he could do coming out," Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said of Banks. "There’s going to be receivers in this league that make plays. You’ve just got to bounce back and play the next play. They’ve got a great receiver [Garrett Wilson] there in New York. He’s going to make plays. You try to limit them, but he’s going to make plays. You’ve just got to go play the next play and go."

And the same happened Sunday against McLaurin. Banks gave up catches, but he also made plays against McLaurin. His tackle of McLaurin on a third-down crosser forced Washington's field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, the one that Leonard Williams wound up blocking.

Then, on the second to last play, Banks blanketed McLaurin, forcing a Sam Howell incompletion on third down prior to the game's final throw from Howell to Jahan Dotson that safety Jason Pinnock broke up at the goal line to seal the Giants' victory.

Earlier in the game, Banks secured the first interception of his career when he made a great read of an over route while in zone coverage. In celebration, Banks showed off his arm when he fired the souvenir football in the stands to his mother, who was in the crowd.

Asked to rate his throw to Mom, Banks said with a laugh: "Nine out of 10. I missed by one row. I threw it up there, but I threw it right to the row in front of them. So, nine out of 10."

Back in the spring, Banks named Wilson as the best receiver he faced in college. When Ohio State crushed Maryland in 2019, Wilson beat Banks for a 14-yard touchdown in a 73-14 trouncing for the Buckeyes.

"I'm hyped for the matchup," Banks said. "I wasn't the player I am now. I was going off straight athleticism. I wasn't watching film. I was a real young kid and I had to grow up. I'm a way different [player]."

The Giants (2-5) are seeking their first winning streak of the season, having just snapped a four-game slide. They have some momentum, especially on defense, and a win over the Jets could reset the season and provide an opportunity to change the narrative from a very challenging start to Brian Daboll's second year as head coach.

According to Next Gen Stats, Banks has allowed a league-low -5.5 receptions over expected this season, the third-fewest of any rookie through Week 7 since 2018. He has also allowed just 4.2 yards per target this season, trailing only Browns' two-time Pro Bowler Denzel Ward (3.8) among cornerbacks with a minimum of 20 targets faced.

"I’m ready to go. I’m ready to compete, and I’m ready to play ball," Banks said. "As a corner, you know they may get you one play. I have to come back and get you the next. Can't play scared. Can't back down."

Banks paused before adding: "And I won't back down. You feel me? Let's go."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Tae Banks: Go inside the mind of NY Giants precocious rookie corner