New York Giants: 10 worst moves of Dave Gettleman era
10. Eli Apple trade
New York Giants fans were thrilled at the time of this trade, and I still struggle to understand how anyone could have ever liked this move in any capacity. Sure, the fact that Eli Apple has blossomed into a solid, starting cornerback on one of the league’s best defenses has only helped strengthen my argument that this was a boneheaded move, but this was never a move that should have been considered.
The reasoning why is simple, and it comes down to simple risk and reward. The risk? Giving up on a 23-year-old top ten pick only two years into his career, while his salary is already fully-guaranteed and going to count against your cap either way due to the new rookie scale. The potential reward? A late-fourth round draft pick, as the team you’re trading with is a Super Bowl contender.
This move reeked of Gettleman attempting to fill his “culture wins games” narrative, as Apple was surely immature and loud during his two years with the Giants. He was also a Jerry Reese draft pick, so he was likely doomed from the start, as we’ve seen Gettleman jettison many quality players for that presumed reason.
Despite his immaturity, and his failure to get his head around on the ball, Apple showed flashes of being a legitimate man corner in this league during his time with Big Blue. Sean Payton and the Saints were all too happy to give up such menial draft compensation to take a chance on a big-time talent at a difficult position to find competence at. Apple is amongst the league leaders in yards allowed per quarterback attempt this season (top ten).
To make matters worse, Gettleman has badly-missed when it comes to finding a competent replacement for Apple, as he’s invested a third and a first-round pick at the cornerback position for two huge question marks. If he would have just stayed pat, he’d have a solid cornerback on a rookie deal, while having an extra first and third-round pick that he could have invested elsewhere.
Instead, he ends up looking foolish while the Saints hit a home run at his expense.