New York Giants: 5 players who must improve

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) chat on the sideline during an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 01, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – DECEMBER 17: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kenjon Barner #38 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against Eli Apple #24 of the New York Giants on December 17, 2017 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagles defeated the Giants 34-29. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

3. Eli Apple

The Giants are still confused as to why Apple’s play dropped so precipitously last season. He went from being one of the best rookies in the league to being an absolute disaster in the span of one season. The team is desperate to see him improve his play in 2018.

Apple was so poor in pass coverage last year that the Giants elected to make him inactive on four occasions last year. What’s worse, the team also felt the need to suspend him without pay for the season finale after he got into it with his position coach.

Curiously, the Giants didn’t make any attempt to find a replacement for Apple this summer. The team had a lot of needs in the offseason, so they elected to place their hope in Apple to bounce back. He’s got the talent required to be a solid starter, but he may not have the mental capacity to handle the pressures of life in the NFL.

If Apple doesn’t play well as a starter it could torpedo New York’s attempt to field an improved defense. The team isn’t going to be able to cover up for his deficiency with their pass rush. The Giants have to get good production from Apple to field an average NFL defense.

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