Saints acquire CB Apple from Giants

The New Orleans Saints acquired former first-round selection Eli Apple from the New York Giants on Tuesday in exchange for a fourth-round pick of the 2019 NFL Draft and seventh-round selection in 2020. New York made the trade one day after the team lost its fourth straight game and fell to 1-6 in a disastrous first season for general manager Dave Gettleman and coach Pat Shurmur. The Giants have now parted ways with a first-round pick for the second time in two weeks. Offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, who was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, was waived on Oct. 9. He now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Apple enjoyed a solid rookie season after being selected by the Giants with the 10th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. Things went south from there, notably with New York suspending him for the final game of the 2017 season for a "pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team" as well as safety Landon Collins going so far as to call Apple a "cancer." Gettleman did his best to clear the air, telling reporters in the offseason that Apple had a clean slate. That lasted all of seven games. Apple, who missed two contests due to a groin injury, has recorded 23 tackles, one forced fumble and five passes defended. The 23-year-old Apple joins former Ohio State teammates Marshon Lattimore and Vonn Bell with the Saints. The Giants are now left with B.W. Webb, Antonio Hamilton, Grant Haley and Michael Jordan as cornerbacks to go along with starter Janoris Jenkins.