Cornerback Eli Apple is heading to Las Vegas to play for the Raiders. Terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
Eli Apple was traded to the New Orleans Saints during the 2018 season after spending his first two seasons with the New York Giants. Apple immediately moved into a starting role with the Saints opposite former Ohio State Buckeyes teammate Marshon Lattimore. Following the 2018 season, New Orleans declined to pick up Apple’s fifth year option, setting him up to hit free agency this off-season.
Former Saints’ CB Eli Apple is signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, as @Jerrymcd also reported.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2020
Eli Apple Signs With Las Vegas Raiders
Apple started 15 games in 2019 before an ankle injury caused him to miss the Saints regular season finale and Wild Card playoff game. His future came into question when New Orleans signed fellow former Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins in December 2019. Over the course of 25 starts with New Orleans, Apple recorded two interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and 110 total tackles.
The Giants drafted Apple with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Apple was in and out of the starting lineup during his time in New York and briefly became a source of controversy when the Giants finished the 2017 season with a 13-3 record. In December 2017, then-Giants safety Landon Collins referred to Apple as a “cancer” during a radio interview. A week later, Apple was suspended by the team for the 2017 season finale.
Apple returned to the Giants as a starter in 2018, but suffered a groin injury in week two. He would play three more games with New York before getting traded to New Orleans seven weeks into the season. Apple finished his Giants career with one interception, 20 pass breakups, and 123 total tackles.
In college, Apple recorded four interceptions, 17 pass breakups, and 86 total tackles during his two seasons with Ohio State. Apple helped the Buckeyes win the 2015 National Championship following his freshman season. Apple helped seal the title win by intercepting Oregon’s Marcus Mariota late in the game. Apple was named Defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl the following season.
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