Panthers, Eli Apple strike 1-year agreement

The Carolina Panthers have agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent cornerback Eli Apple, the team announced Thursday.

It appeared Apple was headed to the Las Vegas Raiders early in free agency, but the deal fell through.

Apple spent the last season and a half with the New Orleans Saints, starting all 25 games he appeared in. The 2016 10th overall pick began his career with the New York Giants, enduring a rocky tenure on and off the field that lasted two-plus seasons before he was waived.

The Panthers add Apple to a secondary that lost James Bradberry in free agency, and the unit faces uncertainty beyond Donte Jackson.

In 55 career games, Apple has notched three interceptions and 33 pass breakups. The Ohio State product allowed a passer rating of 107.5 when targeted last year, according to PFF.