Total Pro Sports
Eli Apple was once highly touted, and the New York Giants drafted him with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Coming out of Ohio State, a lot of things were expected of him. He would never pan out.
Now, as a veteran player, it has taken all of the offseason for him to find his next team.
According to agency Universal Sports and Entertainment Management, Apple has agreed to a one-year deal with San Francisco.
Veteran cornerback Eli Apple is signing a one-year deal with the 49ers, per Kevin Conner at @UniSportsMgmt. pic.twitter.com/fN9DD4pQwC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 27, 2025
The 29-year-old signed with the Chargers’ practice squad last October and was promoted to the team’s active roster last November. However, he would then miss time with a hamstring injury, leading him to appear in just four games in 2024.
In 2023, Apple played 10 games with four starts for the Dolphins, recording an interception and nine passes defensed.
Over his NFL career, the 29-year-old cornerback has appeared in 102 games, recording 383 tackles, three quarterback hits, 0.5 sacks, 61 passes defensed, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
The San Francisco 49ers are signing veteran cornerback Eli Apple to a one-year deal.
Apple was a former first-round pick from Ohio State, drafted in 2016. His most recent stint was with the Los Angeles Chargers in November 2024 for a three-game stretch.
It took some time for him to find a team, and it only happened due to an injury.
The move comes after projected starting cornerback Renardo Green suffered a hamstring injury during Friday’s practice.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Green is not expected to return until the week of August 11, which would be ahead of the 49ers’ second preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
If Eli Apple can show that he has something left in the tank, he could get some real playing time with the 49ers.
