New York Giants’ CB Eli Apple Likely to Not Disappoint
Almost no one in the football community expected the New York Giants to select Eli Apple with the 10th pick in this year’s draft. After a few months of evaluation and discussion, Apple is still deemed as a player unworthy of the such a high selection in many NFL circles. At the conclusion of the 2016 season, however, Apple’s play may well exceed the expectations that have been set.
The 2015 New York Giants season was an incredible display of defensive incompetence. The defensive line mustered little to no pass rush, linebackers regularly let tight ends and running backs gash them for long gains, and defensive backs fell over each other and whiffed regularly on deep throws down the field. At times, it was hard to imagine that the G-Men would resort to using players, taken off the streets, to fill important roles. Last season’s Giants were an exhibition of ineptitude that can only be improved upon in 2016.
After earning the 10th overall pick with their substandard play, and dolling out hundreds of millions of dollars on promising defensive free agents, the Giants invested another high end resource on the defensive side when they took Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple in the first round. His pick drew the ire of many fans and caused many draft evaluators to scratch their heads.
Vernon Hargreaves, a cornerback out of Florida was still on the board, several talented receivers were also available for Big Blue to snap up. Even highly touted, but controversial, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Mississippi) was there for the taking. According to NJ.com, Giants’ management was said to have been outsmarted, or “outmaneuvered” by the Tennessee Titans and Chicago Bears, venerable franchises who have not distinguished themselves in talent acquisition recently.
More from NY Giants Draft
- 4 LBs the NY Giants should target in the draft after signing Bobby Okereke
- 7-Round NY Giants NFL Mock Draft after the NFL Combine
- 3 Players Giants Should Draft to Enhance 2023 NFC East Odds
- 7 under-the-radar NY Giants targets to watch at the NFL Combine
- NY Giants 7-round NFL Mock Draft: Big Blue trades up to ruin Baltimore’s plans
Reports have surfaced that the Giants got stuck with a raw, young and unproven player who was three years removed from high school, who cannot prepare a full meal. Scouting reports say that Apple uses his hands too much and is not physical enough. These reports also indicate that he makes plays, but needs to improve his ball skills. The combine showed that Apple has straight line speed, but may also have slow reactionary quickness.
Keep in mind that much is expected of high first-round draft picks, but in fairness to Apple, he has yet to play a down in the NFL. Given his raw talent, Apple’s ceiling may be high, and as of right now, he may be the third best cornerback on the Giants, and that is all they need him to be at this point in his career.
The 2016 draft for the Giants has been met with mixed reviews, and a common refrain is that the Giants were not expecting to take a cornerback the first night. According to NJ.com, it was the 95 minutes between the start of the draft and their selection that forced the team’s hand and made Eli Apple the pick. Regardless of where linebacker Leonard Floyd (Georgia) or offensive tackle Jack Conklin (Michigan State) were on the Giant’s draft board, the selection of Apple solidifies a position of need, and most expect that he will struggle initially at the position.
Remember Apple will not turn 21-years old until August 9th, and he has had limited experience in zone coverage schemes. Realistically, the Giants should not have any expectations beyond getting him on the field for maybe 60-65 percent of defensive snaps.
Apple will not have the chance to disappoint unless injury forces him into a starting role. While the top three cornerbacks for the Giants are accustomed to covering the outside wide receivers, all three may take snaps in the slot as well.
Unless your team possesses a true shut down corner, an anomaly in today’s NFL, cornerbacks merely have to be athletic enough to prevent big plays, and strong enough to support the run. Apple’s predraft grades all indicate he is more than capable of tackling and covering, which will only improve with time.
Eli Apple’s place as a top cornerback on the Giants and a respected corner in the league may already taking form. His natural size and speed already bode well for a productive career in a league that craves these attributes.
Apple will undoubtedly have his “welcome to the NFL” moment, but as a first-round pick on the league’s reigning worst defense, disappointment is to be expected. From his college pedigree to his impressive combine numbers, as well as the Giant’s veteran presence at the cornerback position, Apple will not only be given a chance to learn and thrive, there remains little likelihood that any scenario this season can reasonable to the miserable defensive performances of 2015.