Eli Apple Fantasy

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed cornerback Eli Apple to a one-year, $4 million deal on Thursday, according to a source. Apple, a former first-round pick of the New York Giants in 2016, had 49 tackles (38 solo), two interceptions, 10 passes defensed and a fumble recovery in 16 games (15 starts) in 2021 in his first season with the Bengals. The 26-year-old will run it back with Cincinnati, and he should be in line for a starting role in 2022. Apple has 286 tackles (238 solo), six tackles for loss, five interceptions and 43 passes defensed in six NFL seasons with the Giants, Bengals, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.

Mar. 18th • 10:55 AM

The Cincinnati Bengals signed free-agent cornerback Eli Apple to an undisclosed one-year deal, according to a source. Apple was a former first-round pick out of Ohio State by the New York Giants in 2016. He was later traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2018 and also played for the Carolina Panthers in 2020. Injuries limited Apple to just two games. In 57 career NFL games, he has 219 tackles and three interceptions. In Cincinnati he'll be reunited with former Ohio State teammate Vonn Bell, who is the team's starting safety. Apple is entering his age-26 season and has 48 total games of starting experience, but he's mostly been a bust as the No. 10 overall pick back in 2016.

Mar. 24th • 3:18 PM

Cornerback Eli Apple was released by the Panthers on Tuesday after logging 28 defensive snaps during Sunday's loss to New Orleans. Apple made just four tackles over the course of two games with the Panthers, but the team is already set to move on from the former starter, who has spent the four previous years with the Saints and Giants. Injuries have scuttled Apple's performance and availability in 2020, with the team opting for other in-house options moving forward. The Panthers Defense is a middling season-long fantasy option due to their limited nature in accruing sacks (six in seven games), even as they have racked up 10 turnovers in that span. The release of Apple gives little reason for fantasy managers to change their tune about the unit, but the former No. 10 overall pick should likely find a landing spot in the near future.

Oct. 27th • 6:17 PM