2013 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Johnthan Banks CB, Mississippi State

Despite a reputation for the New York Giants being heavy-handed with defensive linemen picks in the first round, since Jerry Reese took over as general manager he has actually spent a lot of first-round picks on players in the secondary Aaron Ross (2007), Kenny Phililps (2008), Prince Amukamara (2011), which means we can never rule out the possibility of the Giants taking a secondary player in the first round. Today, we're going to take a look at Johnthan Banks, my number-three ranked cornerback prospect, with our latest 2013 NFL Draft prospect profile.

[Complete SB Nation Draft Coverage]

Pros

Banks has good size with good length (he's listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds) for the cornerback position and has been a successful player against the best competition in college football. Banks' greatest strengths are his top-notch hands and ability to play the football in the air (Banks has 16 career interceptions in his four years in Starkville). Bank has played both safety and cornerback for the Bulldogs as well as returned punts. Banks plays with good instincts and has good mirror skills. Banks is a very willing tackler. Banks has done well as a blitzer, especially in the 2011 season where he racked up eight tackles for loss and three sacks.

[Big Blue View 2013 NFL Draft Big Board]

Cons

Banks will have to work on his backpedal and his press-coverage technique. Although he does have good size and length he's not particularly strong. Banks is a willing tackler, but he's not a great open-field tackler. Banks can get caught peeking into the backfield. He's better right now playing off- and zone coverage than he is playing in man, but that is because he wasn't asked to do it much. The biggest question for Banks will be his straight line speed.

Player comparison: Aqib Talib (NFL.com),

[Follow Big Blue View on Twitter | 'Like' Big Blue View on Facebook.]

Does He Fit With The Giants?

He does. Although I like Xavier Rhodes more than I like Banks, Banks might actually be a better fit for Perry Fewell's system because of his adeptness in playing off-coverage and reading and reacting. Banks also has the size and length the Giants covet at the cornerback position. Banks is a player who could definitely be in play for the Giants at 19th overall, especially if he runs well at the combine and puts to rest the questions about his speed.

Prospect Video

Unfortunately, I didn't see any Banks from 2012. This is from 2011 and (as always) provided by @jmpasq

Big Board Rankings

CBS Sports-33rd

National Football Post-22nd

Mocking the Draft-31st

Sports Illustrated-33rd

Big Blue View Board-19th

Final Thought

Banks is my third-rated cornerback on the board, and according to most is a consensus top five cornerback prospect in the draft. Because of that it's very possible that he's selected in the top 20 picks. Cornerbacks are at a premium in today's NFL. Banks will offer a team a lot of experience, savvy, and ability to go along with his impressive size and length. If Banks can answer questions about his speed he might become a very realistic option for the Giants at 19th overall.

Follow me on twitter @NFLmocks