Tennessee Titans: 5 Players The Team Could Target in a Trade

Eli Apple, CB, New York Giants

After being selected in the top 10 of the 2016 NFL Draft, Eli Apple had himself a promising rookie campaign for the New York Giants. The same can’t be said for his sophomore season, after appearing in just 11 games and accumulating only 49 tackles and two passes defensed. He was even a healthy scratch in four games this year and only played special teams the last few games of the season. New York also decided to suspend the talented yet troubled corner for the regular season finale. Through all of this, Apple was not only questioned for his effort in a couple of the team’s losses this year, but Landon Collins went as far as to call Apple a ‘cancer’ in the locker room.

Now, this may not fit the mantra of a Jon Robinson guy, but there are some other factors that could sway the GM’s opinion about the former Buckeye. The main one is Apple’s relationship with current DBs coach Kerry Coombs. Coombs was Apple’s position coach at Ohio State and the two formed a relationship despite him being in the NFL the last two years. It would be up to Coombs and the solid DB room already established to help keep Apple’s head on straight.

It’s hard to get a feel on just how the Titans will address the corner back position this off-season. The team could decide to get a legitimate number one corner and push Logan Ryan into the slot (where he excels). They could just add a player similar to Apple to complement Ryan and Adoree’ Jackson. It also bodes well for Apple that he could be had for very cheap, since he’s still on his rookie deal. Either way, I believe it’s inevitable that Robinson decides to bring in some new faces into that cornerback room.

Considering his troubled year in New York, the Giants could be looking for any late round pick to get Apple off their hands. Giving away minimal assets while the player is on a cheap rookie deal is something that can entice the front office despite his past. Robinson has gone out of his way to lay down the groundwork for a strong winning culture that is now instilled in the locker room. Can he trust it to help keep Apple on the field and out of trouble?

Potential Compensation for New York: Conditional late-round pick