Carolina Panthers: Top 5 breakout candidates in 2020
By Josh Linares
5. Eli Apple (Carolina Panthers CB)
Eli Apple was recently signed by the Carolina Panthers on a one-year deal worth $3 million to bolster their secondary. He hasn’t lived up to his expectations after being selected tenth overall by the New York Giants back in 2016. But there is still some hope he can finally put his impressive skill set to more use in 2020.
He spent some time with the New Orleans Saints. But the corner didn’t see much playing time behind Marshon Lattimore. In Carolina, Apple will have an opportunity to prove himself.
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The Panthers decided not to bring back James Bradberry and Ross Cockrell, which leaves Dontae Jackson as the only remaining starting corner from last season.
Apple will go into camp looking to make a starting position his own right away. His competition will primarily come from fourth-round cornerback Troy Pride Jr., who has a tremendous amount of upside even if he is a little raw.
This may be Apple’s last chance to prove his worth as a cornerback with starting capability in the NFL. He can be a great compliment for Jackson and just might have a breakout season for the Panthers if he fits into defensive coordinator Phil Snow’s system from the outset.