After a ton of NFL draft speculation involving Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love, the New York Giants did not select a single running back, but there was news of an RB addition just after the draft, with New Mexico UDFA Damon Bankston heading to NYC.
“New Mexico running back and returner Damon Bankston to [the] Giants, per a league source,” NFL and KPRC2 insider Aaron Wilson reported on the evening of April 25.
Damon Bankston takes his skills to the Big Apple as an undrafted free agent!
#GoLobos | #RealOnes26
The official New Mexico Football X account also confirmed that “the Giants are going to the Bank,” adding that Bankston would be taking his talents to the Big Apple as an undrafted free agent.
Bankston is an intriguing signing, considering he has proven himself as a threat in three areas: rushing, receiving, and returning.
According to ESPN, he rushed for 635 yards and 5 touchdowns at New Mexico in 2025, at an average of 5.6 yards per carry. As a receiver, Bankston also added 397 yards and 3 touchdowns, not to mention 2 kick return TDs and 434 total kick return yards.
Tally all that up, and Bankston contributed 1,466 yards for the Lobos last season.
The new Giants UDFA didn’t do as much as a receiver or returner during the earlier portion of his college career at Weber State, but he did rush for 1,104 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024 before transferring to New Mexico.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler logged Bankston’s measurements at 5-foot-10 and 3/8 height and 196-pound weight. He ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash with a 6.89-second 3 cone drill time and a 4.32-second short shuttle time.
New Giants UDFA Damon Bankston Will Look to Impress on Kick Return After Signing News
GettyFormer New Mexico running back Damon Bankston will likely compete for a returner role with the New York Giants.
The Giants’ running back room is actually pretty deep, which is partly why the Love rumors never made a whole lot of sense.
Cam Skattebo is said to be recovering quickly after his season-ending injury as a rookie, but the 2025 draft pick flashed tantalizing dual-threat potential when he was healthy. Skattebo has also formed a really tight bond with quarterback Jaxson Dart.
The current RB2 is 2024 draft pick Tyrone Tracy, who has also proven himself when given the opportunity. While Skattebo is known for breaking tackles and making defenders miss, Tracy can hit a hole fast and gash a defense, which fits perfectly for a change-of-pace role.
The veteran of the room is ex-starter Devin Singletary. The Giants shocked everyone when they chose to work out a new contract with Singletary this offseason, rather than release him. It was also a pretty strong tell that Big Blue is happy with this current group.
Finally, you have fan favorite ex-UDFA Dante Miller and disappointing 2023 draft pick Eric Gray competing for a potential fourth roster spot alongside Bankston.
Given this setup, it would make sense that Bankston gets a look at a kick returner role. With the new NFL special teams rules, kick return has become a sort of set play in recent seasons.
If Bankston can give head coach John Harbaugh an edge in that area, you can bet that he’ll be given a real shot to make the team in August.
Giants’ Post-NFL Draft Roster Has Several Return Specialists Already
Bankston’s special teams road will be no easier than running back. The Giants have filled out their 90-man roster with several return specialists already.
Wide receivers Gunner Olszewski and Xavier Gipson are primary returners, and fellow WR Courtney Jackson has a lot of college experience as a punt returner.
Gray and Singletary could be in the mix with Bankston on kick return, along with WR signing Calvin Austin, who has done both.
There are even one or two defensive backs who could potentially get a look on returns this summer, giving Harbaugh plenty of options in his first season as head coach.
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