Approval Poll: Bengals sign Eli Apple to strengthen secondary

Eli Apple has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bengals secondary will be capable this coming season, but the loss of William Jackson III will be tough to overcome. That said, the Bengals did their replace to replace the young stud.

Apple has been the most recent addition, but Cincinnati also went out and signed Chidobe Awuzie from Dallas. He should have a great impact alongside Trae Waynes. The team will also boast star Jessie Bates in the secondary.

That said, Apple will slide in behind Awuzie and be the team’s third-string cornerback. It’s a good role for him just a few years removed from behind the New Orleans Saints No. 2 option.

The former top-10 pick played alongside fellow former Ohio State Buckeyes star Marshon Lattimore. After being injured to end the season coupled with his poor play throughout 2019, Apple lost his starting gig to Janoris Jenkins, who signed with New Orleans from New York.

Apple signed with the Panthers in 2020 but played just two games with Carolina. He recorded just four tackles in those couple appearances. Apple’s best season came in 2018 where he recorded 75 tackles, two interceptions, and 14 passes defended.

He was looking like the first-round pick the Giants thought he could be, and they let the Saints buy-in. New Orleans paid a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick for him.

Now, headed to Cincinnati after being cut last season by Carolina, Apple will be looking to salvage his career. The opportunity will certainly be there as he’ll team up with former Buckeye and Saints’ teammate Vonn Bell.

The potential for Apple is still there, and with an elite safety to help over the top, he should get beat deep less often, a problem he consistently had in New Orleans. That said, it’s time to let you have your opinion heard.

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