3 Cincinnati Bengals who won’t be back next season and why
By Mark Powell
Bengals rumors: Eli Apple on his way out?
Eli Apple has played his way back onto an NFL field.
While Apple did have a tough week in the lead-up to the AFC Championship, the loud-mouthed cornerback does provide plenty of value at his price point. Apple can line up on the outside or the slot, and Lou Anarumo used him in just about every situation imaginable this season.
It’s easy to overlook Apple, as he’s frequently clowned on social media and by opposing players. He’s on the wrong end of a number of Pro Football Focus breakdowns. As mentioned above, Apple is often forced to play out of position, and it’s that flexibility that makes him valuable. He will land on another team, it just won’t be the Bengals.
The ‘why’ as it pertains to Apple is relatively simple — not only did he talk smack all week to Kansas City, which out Cincinnati in a tough position, he’s also outplayed his price tag. Odds are, the Bengals can replace Apple in the draft relatively easily, and pay half the price.