The ink barely dried on safety Jevon Holland’s restructured contract Monday before fan-driven speculation began that the Giants could use their additional $5.8 million in salary-cap savings to trade for Joey Porter Jr.
The irony is that the Giants once were “splitting hairs” while trying to place cornerbacks Deonte Banks and Porter on the draft board as late first-round picks in 2023, league sources told The Post. And it looked over the last two seasons like the Giants chose wrong, though that tide might be turning again.
Despite very similar internal grades talent-wise, Banks was given the edge and selected No. 24 on a slight trade-up primarily because the defensive coaching staff at the time felt that he was an ideal matchup piece who would fare better in press coverage based on his physical tools, including his play strength and the short-area lateral agility to stay with quicker receivers.
There was debate at the time over whether Cor’Dale Flott was an outside or slot cornerback and which rookie would best complement Flott and No. 1 option Adoree Jackson.
