Former New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple is set to join the San Francisco 49ers for the 2025 NFL season, marking a new chapter in his career. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the veteran cornerback has signed a one-year deal with the 49ers. Apple entered the NFL draft after a notable stint at Ohio State in 2015, where he earned recognition as a first-round prospect. The Giants selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, hoping to bolster their defense with a promising young talent.
During his initial two seasons in New York, Apple showed potential by participating in 25 games and starting in 18. Throughout this period, he amassed 100 tackles and recorded 15 pass deflections, alongside a fumble and an interception. However, his third season was cut short due to injury, limiting him to just five games and resulting in 23 tackles. This prompted the Giants to trade him to the New Orleans Saints, where they received a fourth-round and a seventh-round draft pick in return.
Apple’s performance with the Saints in 2018 proved to be a turning point, as he became a more integral part of the defense. He started 10 games during that season, gathering 52 tackles and two interceptions, culminating in his most productive year, with a total of 75 tackles, 14 pass deflections, and two interceptions across both teams. The Saints retained Apple for another season, but his time with them was short-lived as he entered free agency after the 2019 season.
Signing a short-term contract with the Carolina Panthers, Apple faced challenges early in his career after suffering multiple lower-body injuries, limiting his appearances to just two games. He was waived by Carolina in October 2020 and later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he experienced a resurgence. Apple earned a new contract after a solid first season, compiling 98 tackles and two interceptions before the Bengals opted against bringing him back for a third year.
Transitioning to the Miami Dolphins in 2022 on another one-year deal, Apple played in 10 games but only started four, leading to continued uncertainties about his role in the league. Apple began the previous season as a free agent and was eventually placed on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad. After a short stint on the active roster, injuries again hampered his contributions, resulting in just two tackles and one pass deflection. With nine years of NFL experience under his belt, Apple is now poised to make a significant impact with the 49ers, leveraging his prior experience and hoping to recapture the defensive prowess seen during his early years with the Giants.
