GIANTS TRADE CORNERBACK ELI APPLE TO NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The New York Giants have traded cornerback Eli Apple to the New Orleans Saints for two draft picks.

In exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2016 draft, the teams announced the Giants will receive a fourthround pick in 2019 and a seventh-rounder in 2020.

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 NFL’s trade deadline is Oct. 30 at 4 p.m.

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 2105 top pick. He was signed by Jacksonville.

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

New Orleans will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night in a matchup of firstplace teams.

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 the season finale.

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 thirddown 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 2014-15. He finished his college career with 86 tackles, four interceptions and 22 passes defensed. He was a college teammate of three current Saints: safety Vonn Bell, cornerback Marshon Lattimore and receiver Michael Thomas.

JULIO CORTEZ - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE- In this Aug. 2, 2018, file photo, New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple works out during NFL football training camp in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants traded Apple to the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, Oct. 23. 2018.

JOHN BAZEMORE - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) prepares to make the catch as New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Atlanta.

JOHN AMIS - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes the catch against New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 23-20.