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Chiefs draft: Secondary preview

By Ben Almquist

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is unable to complete a pass while being defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is unable to complete a pass while being defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is unable to complete a pass while being defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Jehu Chesson (86) is unable to complete a pass while being defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple (13) during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Eli Apple – Ohio State

Scout’s View: Apple will need to improve his technique when playing press coverage, but he shows the quick feet and speed to turn and run with faster receivers. His 4.40 40-yard dash ranked seventh-best among defensive backs at the combine. Apple (6-1, 199) has the length that a lot of NFL teams are looking for in their cornerbacks, and as an added bonus, he’s a terrific run-defender. ~ Todd McShay (ESPN)

Top Comparison: Trumaine Johnson – Los Angeles Rams ~ Staff Scout (NFL.com)

My Take: I haven’t even pretended to hide my thoughts on Eli Apple during this offseason.  I think he has the potential to be the absolute best cornerback in this draft class, and would have been a lock to be the first corner taken in 2017.  Apple excelled, despite his young age, against some of the best competition in the country.

He’s played on the big stage and done well.  He’s figured out top quarterbacks and shut down top receivers.  He has every tool that teams are looking for and the only drawback right now is that he still makes young player mistakes…which will change with age.

Apple is the rare player that could still end up being a steal in the late teens.  His youth and an excess of top tier defensive prospects make it likely that he sees a bit of a slide from where his actual talent would have him.  If the Chiefs could land Apple, it would be back to back years that John Dorsey could smile about walking away with a top-15 talent cornerback in the back end of the round.

Next: Houston, you have a problem

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