The Cincinnati Bengals have signed former Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple. The Bengals signed the free agent corner to a one-year contract with financial details yet to be disclosed.
Apple was a former first-round draft pick of the New York Giants with pick No. 10 in 2016. The OSU DB had signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 but was released in late October after dealing with injuries.
Although he hasn’t lived up to the hype of a first-round pick, Apple has had a solid career. He has played in 57 games and racked up 219 tackles, 33 pass deflections, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Apple will be battling for playing time and hopes to join another former Buckeye, Vonn Bell, in the Cincinnati secondary. The Bengals have already signed two other free-agent cornerbacks this year in Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton.
Buckeye ➡ Bengal
Welcome to Cincinnati, @EliApple!
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) March 23, 2021
It’s great to see a former Buckeye get another shot. Here’s to hoping Apple can get back to the form that made him an NFL first-round draft pick.
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