The New York Giants may not have selected a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft — despite many predicting that they would do so — but they haven’t ignored the position, either.
The Giants signed New Mexico runner and returner Damon Bankston as an undrafted free agent to continue to churn and upgrade the back end of their roster.
Bankston’s collegiate career started with the Weber State Wildcats, where he played from 2021 to 2024, before transferring to New Mexico for the 2025 season. Bankston was a very
productive back for Weber State, and ranks sixth all-time in yardage despite an injury cutting his 2023 season short after 5 games.
He remained productive at New Mexico with 1,032 scrimmage yards, 1,466 all purpose yards, and 10 total touchdowns last year. Bankston was thoroughly off the national radar, but did receive a Top 30 invite from the Green Bay Packers. Despite that, the Giants were able to recruit him to the Meadowlands.
Bankston is an undersized runner at 5-foot-10, 196 pounds, but his frame belies a tenacious runner. Bankston is a short-striding runner which limits his top speed a bit (not that his 4.43-second 40 is slow by any means), however he appears to be a “quicker than fast” runner on the field. He runs with short, choppy steps and incredible stride frequency which allows him to hit top speed in a hurry, as well as cut on a dime. Bankston has good vision and the kind of contact balance you’d expect from a player with his natural leverage, which combined with his quickness and agility to resemble something like a water beetle. He’s able to make defenders miss in a phonebooth, constantly skittering from hole to hole and bouncing off of would-be tacklers.
Bankston is also a good receiver, with 31 catches for 397 yards (12.8 per catch) and 3 touchdowns. He had 10 total touchdowns last year, five rushing, three receiving, and two on kickoff returns.
(Bankston is the New Mexico running back wearing number 1.)
It isn’t surprising, then, that Bankston’s real value comes as a returner. He returned 12 kicks at New Mexico, racking up 434 yards (36.2 per return), and the aforementioned pair of touchdowns. Given the changes to the NFL’s kick-off rules, it behooves teams to have dangerous options at kick-off returner. The opportunities will be there for a good return game to set up the offense, or even create game-changing scores on special teams.
Having an impact on kick-offs is going to be Bankston’s best chance to make the Giants’ roster. If he can’t force his way onto the 53-man roster, he might be a lock for the practice squad.
