Former first-round Ohio State Buckeye draft pick quickly axed after falling out of favor for his latest team originally appeared on A to Z Sports.

Former Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple continues to bounce around the NFL. This time, Apple’s tenure with the San Francisco 49ers was fleeting. Signed on July 28 after a tryout, the cornerback was released just two weeks later, marking the end of another chapter in his winding NFL career.

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Early Career with the Giants

Selected as the 10th overall pick by the New York Giants in the 2016 NFL Draft, Apple entered the league with high expectations. However, his tenure in New York was underwhelming. Over 30 games in two and a half seasons, he recorded just one interception and 20 passes defended.

His struggles led to a trade to the New Orleans Saints midway through the 2018 season. In 2021, then-Pro Football Focus analyst Mike Renner labeled Apple as the Giants’ worst first-round selection since 2006, citing his inconsistent play.

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Reflecting on his time with the Giants, Apple admitted earlier this year that he tried to do too much, which may have hindered his performance. In contrast, he found the environment in New Orleans more conducive to his style of play.

“Chaotic is what I knew from being in the media storm of New York. So when I got to New Orleans, the media wasn’t as ruthless when I got out there. It was more calm for me,” Apple said in a Q&A with ReadWrite’s Kyle Odegard.

“Being a young guy coming in, you try to balance everything, and you try to play Superman,” Apple said in the Q&A. “Sometimes it’s tough … That was my mistake, trying to do too much.”

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A Step Forward with the Saints

Apple’s move to the Saints brought a slight improvement. During his time in New Orleans, he notched two interceptions and 14 passes defended, showing flashes of potential. However, his progress stalled in 2019, as he failed to record an interception, marking a step backward in his development.

A Career Highlight with the Bengals

Apple’s most notable season came in 2021 with the Cincinnati Bengals. Starting at cornerback, he contributed two interceptions during the regular season and played a key role in the team’s run to the Super Bowl. Though the Bengals fell short in the championship game, Apple’s performance that year remains a high point in his career.

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NFL Career Stats

Across nine seasons in the NFL, Apple has played for the Giants (2016-2018), Saints (2018-2019), Carolina Panthers (2020), Cincinnati Bengals (2021-2022), and briefly with the 49ers (2023). In 88 career games (73 starts), he has recorded five interceptions, 53 passes defended, and 317 combined tackles.

His best statistical year was 2021 with the Bengals, where he started 15 games, secured two interceptions, and added 10 passes defended. Despite his athleticism and first-round pedigree, Apple has yet to consistently translate his potential into sustained production, often struggling with coverage consistency and penalties.

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Ohio State Days: A Foundation for the NFL

Before his professional career, Apple was a standout at Ohio State University, where he played from 2013 to 2015. As a true freshman, he appeared in all 14 games, starting one, and recorded 13 tackles. His role expanded significantly in his sophomore year, starting all 15 games for the Buckeyes during their 2014 National Championship run.

That season, he tallied 33 tackles, one interception, and seven passes defended, showcasing his ability to compete against top college talent. In his junior year, Apple started 13 games, recording 33 tackles, one interception, and eight passes defended, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors. His performance at Ohio State highlighted his athleticism, speed, and potential as a lockdown corner, which led to his high draft selection.

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Apple’s time in Columbus was marked by his contribution to a dominant Buckeyes defense, including key plays in high-stakes games like the College Football Playoff. His experience in Ohio State’s high-pressure environment prepared him for the NFL, though replicating that success at the professional level has been a challenge.

What’s Next for Apple?

With his release from the 49ers, Apple’s future in the NFL is uncertain. At 30 years old, the veteran cornerback still possesses the physical tools to compete, but he’ll need to find a team willing to take a chance on his potential. As he searches for his next opportunity, Apple’s resilience and experience could yet carve out a role for him in the league.

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.