Former New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple was released by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. It is possibe that will be the end of the NFL line for Apple, who has played just six games the past two seasons.<\/p>\n
That, in and of itself, is probably only a mild curiosity for Giants fans. After all, it\u2019s been about seven years since the former first round pick played for the Giants, and many Giants fans likely forgot Apple was even in the NFL. The Giants traded Apple to the New Orleans Saints after five games in 2018, and he has since played for the Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, and then the 49ers.<\/p>\n
It remains to be seen if this is where Apple\u2019s story in the NFL ends, but it still serves as a cautionary tale for the Giants and their 2023 first-round pick, Deonte Banks.<\/p>\n
There are a somewhat uncomfortable number of parallels between Banks and Apple.<\/p>\n
Both are former first-round picks who were heralded for an elite blend of size and athleticism coming out of college. Both flashed the potential to be good, perhaps even great, press man coverage specialists early in their careers. And both regressed over the following years as questions mounted.<\/p>\n
Some in the Giants\u2019 fandom and media are ready to move on from Banks as well, tossing him in the dustbin of history as yet another bust.<\/p>\n
That said, Apple and Banks are two different men and their paths can absolutely diverge.<\/p>\n
As of this writing, Banks remains on the Giants, and was recently moved into the \u201clock\u201d category to make the roster in Ed\u2019s recent 53-man roster forecast. And at the very least, Banks may have secured his continued roster spot by emerging as a great kick returner.<\/p>\n
If that\u2019s all he\u2019s able to be, it\u2019s a disappointing outcome for a former first-round cornerback, but still a useful piece for the Giants. The new kick-off rules are confusing and frustrating, but they do accomplish the goal of making the play matter in a way it didn\u2019t until recently. A great kick returner can change the complexion of a game, and the Giants would certainly enjoy having their own Devin Hester.<\/p>\n
That said, if the Giants and Banks want to avoid his career path mirroring Apple\u2019s, it falls to Addison Lynch and Dennard Wilson to help him realize his potential.<\/p>\n
And so far there has been more than, perhaps, a glimmer of hope over the course of spring and summer practices. Banks started out as a second team corner, but has worked his way into meaningful snaps with the starters. In fact, Banks has reportedly looked good enough in his opportunities that he\u2019s counted among the pleasant surprises in the first week of camp.<\/p>\n