3 ways that Eli Apple can help the Carolina Panthers

How Eli Apple can help the Carolina Panthers: Pressure off Troy Pride Jr.

The arrival of Eli Apple should also take some of the immediate pressure off fourth-round pick Troy Pride Jr. The former Notre Dame speedster comes in with an eye-catching skill set that could eventually see him become a prominent starter with the Carolina Panthers if he reaches his ceiling.

That being said, putting too much on the prospect’s shoulders early on has the potential to have a detrimental impact on his long-term aspirations. Having Apple on the roster can alleviate some of the pressure and allow Pride Jr. to develop at his own pace.

This will be especially significant during the initial stages of the campaign. Throwing Pride Jr. in at the deep end could present severe problems. And now Apple will be on hand to ease this transition before possibly taking a back seat to the rookie later on in the season.

Having someone like Apple to lean on for advice and guidance is also going to stand Pride Jr. in good stead. The Panthers were devoid of this at the cornerback spot before his arrival thanks to the departures of James Bradberry and Ross Cockrell.

All signs point to Apple possibly starting right away, with Pride Jr. coming in as the nickel cornerback when required. These roles could be reversed as the season progresses, depending on how the duo fare during the first few weeks.