The Indianapolis Colts are currently one of the top teams in the NFL. Sitting second overall in the standings, they trail only the Denver Broncos. With an upcoming matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the Colts have a chance to improve their 7-2 record to 8-2, potentially tying the Broncos once again at the top.
### Colts Make Big Move at Trade Deadline
The Colts were among the biggest movers during this past week’s trade deadline. They traded away promising wide receiver AD Mitchell, along with a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick, to acquire elite cornerback Sauce Gardner. This move shows the team’s commitment to strengthening their defense as they aim for a deep postseason run.
### Other Cornerbacks Considered Before Settling on Gardner
Interestingly, the Colts could have gone a different route in bolstering their secondary. According to a recent ESPN report, the team also explored acquiring other corners before landing Gardner.
“The market was drying up,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote on November 7, 2025. “They checked into Deonte Banks of the New York Giants and New Orleans’ Alontae Taylor, and perhaps that drove up the price for Gardner. Anticipating January home games, they wanted to prepare for visiting passing attacks that would look to exploit the comfy indoor conditions at Lucas Oil Stadium.”
### Profiles on Potential Targets: Alontae Taylor and Deonte Banks
Alontae Taylor, 26, is coming off a career-best season in several statistical categories. Last year, Taylor recorded 61 solo tackles, 28 assisted tackles, and four sacks in 17 games. This season, he has accumulated 44 tackles and one sack through nine games with the New Orleans Saints.
Deonte Banks, 24, is a less proven option. The Giants’ cornerback has recorded 21 tackles in nine games this season. Banks made a splash during his rookie year with 64 tackles and two interceptions, but his recent performance has been more inconsistent.
### Deonte Banks’ Struggles This Season
The interest in Banks surprised some analysts given his recent struggles. Patricia Traina of Sports Illustrated highlighted his challenges in a November 7 article. She noted Banks’ decline from a promising rookie season to losing his starting job this year.
“Banks has gone from a promising-looking prospect as a rookie, posting career-bests in tackles (56), stops (17), reception percentage allowed (57.6%), touchdowns allowed (4), and coverage rating (84.7), to having lost his starting job,” Traina explained.
Banks’ playing time this season has been limited to early-season rotations and serving as an injury replacement. Concerns have risen over his effort on the field.
In a recent game against the 49ers, Banks had a chance to prevent an 18-yard touchdown run but was unable to make the tackle, appearing easily overpowered. Furthermore, Giants head coach Brian Daboll publicly criticized Banks last season for what he viewed as a lack of effort—a red flag for any team considering acquiring a player.
### Why the Colts Likely Avoided a Risky Gamble
The Colts’ reported interest in Banks may stem from their defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, who previously coached in New York and advocated for Banks during his time there. However, given Banks’ struggles both on the field and with effort, the Colts ultimately made the safer choice by acquiring Sauce Gardner.
For now, it appears the Colts have dodged a potential bullet and avoided settling for a band-aid solution in their defensive backfield. As they continue their push this season, adding Gardner could prove to be a game-changing move in maintaining their status as a top contender.
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