The New York Giants' defense had a rare good outing on Monday night despite the loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and clearly the New Orleans Saints were watching. Just one day later and the Saints agreed to acquire cornerback Eli Apple from the Giants for a fourth and seventh-round draft pick. The fourth-round pick will be for the 2019 draft, and the seventh-rounder will be good for 2020.
Apple fills a much-needed role for the Saints, who sit in first place in the NFC South at 5-1 following a close win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Although, the cornerback has dealt with issues off the field, leading to sub-par play on the field. He has started all five games this season when healthy, but the 23-year-old is coming off a tough season a year ago. That included him getting suspended near the end of last season for arguing with a coach and calling teammate Landon Collins a "cancer" to the team.
Surprisingly so, Collins was the first to speak out on ESPN Radio saying "we (defense) are shocked by this." The Saints have struggled with their defensive numbers, relying on Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara to lead their offense to put up monster numbers, which they have. New Orleans has also shown interest in cornerback Patrick Peterson, who has requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals by the October 30th trade deadline.
Apple was selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State and joins the Saints with 23 tackles and one forced fumble this season. He did miss two games earlier in the year with a groin injury. The young secondary weapon has shown signs of moving on from his tumultuous past, saying after the 2017 season that he was "embarrassed" of his conduct. A new home could lead to a clean slate and a new beginning in a playoff atmosphere.
Apple fills a much-needed role for the Saints, who sit in first place in the NFC South at 5-1 following a close win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Although, the cornerback has dealt with issues off the field, leading to sub-par play on the field. He has started all five games this season when healthy, but the 23-year-old is coming off a tough season a year ago. That included him getting suspended near the end of last season for arguing with a coach and calling teammate Landon Collins a "cancer" to the team.
Surprisingly so, Collins was the first to speak out on ESPN Radio saying "we (defense) are shocked by this." The Saints have struggled with their defensive numbers, relying on Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara to lead their offense to put up monster numbers, which they have. New Orleans has also shown interest in cornerback Patrick Peterson, who has requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals by the October 30th trade deadline.
Apple was selected in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State and joins the Saints with 23 tackles and one forced fumble this season. He did miss two games earlier in the year with a groin injury. The young secondary weapon has shown signs of moving on from his tumultuous past, saying after the 2017 season that he was "embarrassed" of his conduct. A new home could lead to a clean slate and a new beginning in a playoff atmosphere.
