4 free agent cornerbacks the Patriots could sign if they move on from Jack Jones
Eli Apple
2022 stats with the Cincinnati Bengals
- 15 games
- 49 combined tackles
- 1 tackle for a loss
- 8 passes defended
If Bill Belichick wanted to bring in a younger free agent instead, Eli Apple wouldn't be a bad choice.
Apple has spent the last two seasons with the Bengals and completed one of the best seasons of his career in 2021, the season Cincinnati went to the Super Bowl.
In that season, Apple totaled 49 combined tackles, two tackles for a loss, one fumble recovery, two interceptions returned for 50 yards, and ten passes defended.
Maybe we shouldn't look in the rearview mirror too far when considering players to sign, but it's important to get a full context of what a player can contribute to a team, especially when that team is performing at a high level.
Although he's been in the league for only eight years, he has already played for four teams, which is never a positive when considering signing a free agent at just 27 years old.
However, his experience around the league, combined with his postseason appearances and starting-caliber abilities, he's not a name that should be completely ruled out of contention.