Soured on Apple, Giants deal him for pair of picks

The New York Giants on Tuesday traded former Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple, who was the 10th pick overall in the 2016 draft, to the New Orleans Saints for a fourthround pick in 2019 and a seventh-rounder in 2020.

Like all trades, it will be not official until Apple passes a physical.

The move marks the second time in a week the Giants (1-6) have parted ways with a recent first-round draft pick. Last week, they waived tackle Ereck Flowers, their 2015 top pick. He was signed by Jacksonville.

It also could be a sign the Giants, who were 3-13 last season, might deal more assets with the NFL trading deadline set for 4 p.m. on Oct. 30.

Apple has 23 tackles and a forced fumble. He also recovered a fumble in the Giants’ 23-20 loss to the Falcons in Atlanta on Monday night.

The Saints have struggled on pass defense all season. They are 5-1 and in first place in the NFC South in large part because of the play of Drew Brees and the offense.

This was somewhat of a make-or-break season for Apple. He had a bad year in 2017 and was called a cancer by safety Landon Collins because of his attitude. He was inactive for four games and suspended for one.

The South Jersey native came back this season and was all business. He has shown flashes of being a good cornerback but at times has not made plays. His holding penalty on a third-down play cost the Giants a chance to get off the field with Atlanta pinned near its goal line.

In his three seasons with the Giants, Apple played in 30 regular-season games with 23 starts. He had 120 tackles (102 solo), one interception, 20 passes defensed, one forced fumble and five fumble recoveries, as well as two stops and one fumble recovery on special teams.

Apple started 27 games for Ohio State from 201415. He finished his college career with 86 tackles, four interceptions and 22 passes defensed.