Giants select CB Eli Apple with No. 10 pick in 2016 NFL draft

With the No. 10 pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the New York Giants select Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple.

Doug Farrar | Apr 28, 2016

Giants select CB Eli Apple with No. 10 pick in 2016 NFL draft /

With the No. 10 pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the New York Giants select Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple.

GRADE: B

Though they signed Janoris Jenkins in the offseason, there was still a clear need for more help at cornerback for the G-Men. Apple fits as a natural press-man defender with tremendous aggressiveness and the ability to redirect receivers where he wants them to go. One could question whether Mackensie Alexander or Vernon Hargreaves is the better talent pick here, but the Giants want cornerbacks who are aggressive to the point of failure, and Apple fits the bill. He’ll have to watch the penalties, to be sure.

Strengths: Good-sized, natural disruptor who lives to play press coverage and contend throughout a route. Does a very good job of establishing inside position on boundary routes and taking the correct angles downfield. Has the awareness to out-maneuver receivers and keep them uncomfortable throughout a route, forcing them to adjust. Willing and aggressive tackler in run support, and can throw off receiver blocks to stick his nose in. Quick enough to trail speed receivers all over the field. Closes quickly on slants, digs and comebacks. Attacks the ball at the catch point—he believes the ball is his on every play. Developed a good sense of the field when playing bail coverage. Has learned to use his hands to keep position on downfield receivers while turning his head to diagnose the cornerback. Has a ton of potential as a pure technician.

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Weaknesses: Apple can be too aggressive at times, leading to blown tackles and missed assignments. Spends far too much time getting handsy when he’s beaten. Not a natural diagnostician downfield against receivers running more complex routes. Can be outsized as a cover man and as a tackler. Gets away with short- and intermediate-area muggings in college that will probably get him flagged more readily in the NFL. Needs refinement work as an off-coverage player and potential slot defender.

Published Apr 28, 2016

DOUG FARRAR

SI.com contributing NFL writer and Seattle resident Doug Farrar started writing about football locally in 2002, and became Football Outsiders' West Coast NFL guy in 2006. He was fascinated by FO's idea to combine Bill James with Dr. Z, and wrote for the site for six years. He wrote a game-tape column called "Cover-2" for a number of years, and contributed to six editions of "Pro Football Prospectus" and the "Football Outsiders Almanac." In 2009, Doug was invited to join Yahoo Sports' NFL team, and covered Senior Bowls, scouting combines, Super Bowls, and all sorts of other things for Yahoo Sports and the Shutdown Corner blog through June, 2013. Doug received the proverbial offer he couldn't refuse from SI.com in 2013, and that was that. Doug has also written for the Seattle Times, the Washington Post, the New York Sun, FOX Sports, ESPN.com, and ESPN The Magazine. He also makes regular appearances on several local and national radio shows, and has hosted several podcasts over the years. He counts Dan Jenkins, Thomas Boswell, Frank Deford, Ralph Wiley, Peter King, and Bill Simmons as the writers who made him want to do this for a living. In his rare off-time, Doug can be found reading, hiking, working out, searching for new Hendrix, Who, and MC5 bootlegs, and wondering if the Mariners will ever be good again.