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tRY IT NOWIn Paulson Adebo’s estimation, the Giants haven’t named a cornerback to start opposite him because both Cor’Dale Flott and Deonte Banks staked a claim to win the job.
“Both guys have earned the right to play,” Adebo told The Post. “All OTAs, all training camp, they were making plays, competing, (having) ball production. Based on what I’ve seen since I got here Day 1, I absolutely see starters.”
The Giants recognized too late last summer that their plan to go with Banks and Flott as bargain starters was a bust.
It required the emergency post-training-camp addition of Adoree’ Jackson.
So, Adebo was added in March on a three-year, $54 million free agent contract to handle difficult matchups like Sunday’s against the Commanders’ Terry McLaurin.
And that left Flott (a 2022 third-round pick) and Banks (a 2023 first-round pick) in a competition that remained close enough for the Giants to list both as starters on this week’s unofficial depth chart.
“It would mean a lot to me [to start] and it would mean a lot to other guys on defense who trust me out there, and now the coach trusts me as well,” Flott told The Post. “It would be nice to be settled [into one position], but whatever the team needs. I’m just here to execute when they ask me to.”
Part of the problem with drawing an apples-to-apples comparison is that Banks and Flott rarely were on the field together this preseason because of nonconcurrent injuries.
Banks started and played in the first preseason game while Flott sat, and Flott started and played the next two while Banks sat.
Banks participated in individual drills at Thursday’s practice alongside Adebo and slot cornerback Dru Phillips, while Flott was grouped with Nic Jones and Art Green.
“I know they both missed a little bit of time, but there were a lot of reps throughout,” defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. “They have both done a really good job when out there. So, I think there was enough to go off. We’ll find out [who starts] on Sunday.”
Flott, who has bounced between the slot and the perimeter over his Giants career, had his best preseason “by far.” Both he and Banks have been healthy since Aug. 24.
“I performed, competed and built chemistry with my teammates — and that was the goal,” Flott said. “Things are slowing down as I get older. Understanding how the offense is going to attack you, your leverage when you are playing off [coverage] or man.”
It is not out of the question that the Giants could rotate Flott and Banks by the series against the Commanders, though Bowen could not think of an instance in his career in which he has deployed that strategy.
Sounds disruptive to building a rhythm.
“It can be, but it’s just however you approach your mentality,” Flott said. “Being alert. Paying attention to the guy who is in the game and keeping your legs warm.”
It also could be a week-to-week situation — at least early in the season — where the opposing receiver dictates who plays more cornerback snaps.
“It’s a matchup league,” Bowen said. “I think every week you’re trying to … put these guys in favorable positions.”
If Adebo faces McLaurin, the other starter could draw one of the most unique matchups in the NFL: The physical Deebo Samuel in his first game with the Commanders.
“He’s fast and can run away from you,” Adebo said, “but really strong after the catch and can run through a tackle. He adds another dimension to their offense.”
Banks took a big step back in his development last season, when he did not adjust well to playing more zone under Bowen than he was in former coordinator Wink Martindale’s man-to-man scheme.
Defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson challenged Banks to give a better effort than he did on a few high-profile missed tackles and ultimately lost his job. Banks was not available Thursday for an interview.
Challenging Banks to win the job over Flott is part of the Giants testing his maturity by offering no handouts. He was anointed a starter early in the spring of his rookie year.
“Any time you have a good team, you want to have three, four, five corners who really can start or come in and play at a high level,” Adebo said. “The season is long.”