The high-stakes drama of a first-round draft pick's rise and fall
In short: In 2016, the New York Giants used their tenth overall pick on Eli Apple. What followed was a turbulent journey through the NFL, marked by championship glory, massive guaranteed contracts, and intense locker room friction that saw teammates label him a 'cancer.'
Eli Apple’s ascent began at Ohio State, where he was a five-star prospect. His collegiate career reached a crescendo in the 2015 National Championship Game; he intercepted Oregon's Marcus Mariota on the final play, a moment that prevented Mariota from setting the all-time lowest interception record. Following his championship-winning college season, the New York Giants chose him during the 2016 NFL draft's first round, solidifying his elite standing.
His tenure in New York was defined by both significant investment and significant controversy. The Giants signed him to a four-year, $15.15 million fully guaranteed contract in May 2016, including a $9.21 million signing bonus. However, his time in New York was marred by disciplinary issues and interpersonal conflict. By late 2017, tensions with teammates reached a breaking point; Giants safety Landon Collins publicly criticized him, calling him a 'cancer' to the team. This period also saw Apple suspended by the team following an argument with coaching staff regarding practice duties.
Following his departure from the Giants, Apple’s career became a nomadic journey through various NFL rosters. He was traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2018, where he reunited with former Ohio State teammates. Since then, he has played for the Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers. While his career has seen moments of defensive impact, such as his 2016 rookie season where he recorded 51 combined tackles, it has also been punctuated by injuries and the scrutiny of high-profile plays, including a late-game touchdown allowed during Super Bowl LVI.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Eli Apple
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