New York Giants: Lower Your Expectations for Eli Apple

First-round picks come into the league with high expectations. Why should we have patience with New York Giants rookie Eli Apple in his first few years?

Typically, general managers expect their first-round picks to hit the NFL grounds running as immediate contributors. New York Giants draft-day decision maker Jerry Reese took the best-player-available approach with the No. 10 overall pick in April.

Despite heavy criticism for the offensive line and a weak linebacker corps, Reese selected cornerback Eli Apple. The Giants general manager just spent $62 million on Janoris Jenkins’ contract at the same position, per spotrac.com.

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Many Giants’ fans balked at the decision to add a perimeter cornerback to a roster with two starters already holding firm positions. It’s a legitimate gripe. Apple must absorb the professional game and learn a new position in the secondary. Through his two years at Ohio State, he’s played on the outskirts.

As a result, Apple won’t develop as quick with a steep learning curve. Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will start on the outside, and Apple will likely play in a rotational role in the slot position. The prized first-round pick isn’t going to cover top-tier wideouts in the game on a frequent basis, and he must learn new techniques.

In Apple’s natural position on the perimeter, he needs fine-tuning due to his grabby tendencies, per NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein:

"Becomes Mr. Grabs if he senses receiver is getting over the top of him or when he’s trying to crowd the top of routes. Had four holding and seven pass interference penalties from 2014­-2015."

With overactive hands when in trouble, expect the same as Apple learns a new position on a more demanding level of competition. The coaching staff will spend ample time trying to break his old bad habits.

In certain situations, Apple will probably rotate in the slot to yield snaps to Trevin Wade, who started three games in the previous season. He started with the first team in nickel formation during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, per New York Post reporter Paul Schwartz and NJ.com reporter Jordan Raanan:

For those hoping to see Apple immediately take over the slot position, it may not happen right away, and there will be some rough patches throughout the season.

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Giants rookies and veterans will report to the Quest Diagnostics Training Facility on July 28. Training camp will sort out secondary battles. Nonetheless, as a 20-year-old rookie playing out of position, Apple should finish as the No. 3 cornerback while learning pointers from Wade, who’s experienced at the position.

Rodgers-Cromartie still has three years left on his deal, per spotrac.com. Apple will have to get comfortable in the slot to see ample snaps in the near future, barring a trade.

Apparently, the front office felt confident in Apple’s ability to adjust. However, the risky first-round selection won’t pay immediate dividends. It’s important for the fans and coaches to be patient with the rookie. He’ll need the support as he develops in the slot.