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2016 NFL Draft Profile: Eli Apple, CB Ohio State

By Adam Carlson

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) can
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) can /
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Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple is one of the fastest rising prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft, but should he be drafted by the Minnesota Vikings?

NFL teams love a big, physical cornerback that can disrupt the passing game. Not only do these kind of players have to typically get matched up against team’s number one pass catchers, but often times they’ll need to be able to shed blocks to get to ball carriers as well. That is where Ohio State’s Eli Apple excels.

Apple has the height, leaping ability and speed that is ideal for a cornerback in the National Football League. Unlike others with those ability, his frame isn’t as thin as others, giving him more stability and allowing him to be more physical with pass catchers and blockers.

However, he isn’t as instinctive as NFL teams will want him to be. There are many times when he is slow to react to a play and that causes him to be out of position or diagnose things incorrectly. He also needs work on his tackling technique, as he struggles to bring down ball carriers in one-on-one situations.

Here are Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple’s numbers from the events at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine according to NFL.com:

Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) on the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) on the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Height: 6’1″

  • Weight: 199 pounds
  • Arm Length: 31 3/8″
  • Hand Size: 9 3/8″
  • 40 Yard Dash: 4.40 seconds
  • Bench Press: 13 reps
  • Vertical Jump: N/A
  • Broad Jump: N/A
  • 3 Cone Drill: N/A
  • 20 Yard Shuttle: N/A

    • Eli Apple compares to:

    Fit for the Minnesota Vikings:

    With the team likely losing Josh Robinson and Marcus Sherels in free agency, the team could look to add another cornerback to group with Rhodes, Waynes, Newman, and Munnerlyn. While free agency could be an option, as could developing a player already on the roster, odds are another pass defender will be added during the 2016 NFL Draft. Eli Apple would be a great addition.

    Next: 5 moves the Vikings should have made in free agency

    My Take:

    Apple would be a great addition to just about any NFL franchise. The only question is how early of a draft pick the team will have to use in order to get him. I believe that Apple will be a top 15 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, so if the Minnesota Vikings want him, they’ll probably have to move up to get him, which is unlikely. And if somehow he is available, there would have to be no other targets at more pressing positions available for the Vikings to pull the trigger. For those reasons, I think Minnesota will pass on Apple.

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