Jeff Heath and Eli Apple expected to improve Raiders secondary

Eli Apple

Apple is an interesting flyer with a huge boom or bust profile. The former 10th overall pick in the 2016 draft will be on his 3rd team in 5 years. His play has been inconsistent on the field and his teammates haven’t always liked him. The Raiders are hoping he can reach his potential in Las Vegas which is admittedly a long shot.

Man Coverage

Apple is at his best when playing press man coverage. Coming out of Ohio State, he was the best press corner in the draft that year. He has the size and athleticism to excel in one-on-one situations. The reason why the Raiders coaching staff valued him is his ability to play the soft-shoe press technique that Paul Guenther asks from his corners. Ohio State being one of the only college programs until recently that taught the technique.

Zone Coverage

It seems that Apple is comfortable with his eyes on the quarterback. But the cover 3 he was asked to execute in New Orleans wasn’t the best fit for him. Taller corners have a harder time breaking on underneath routes that stress cover 3 zones. Apple’s up and down play might have been a case of playing in the wrong scheme.

Fit in Las Vegas

Apple is an obvious fit in Guenther’s defense. The biggest question mark will be if Apple can get his head on straight and turn into a consummate pro. It might be harder in Las Vegas to focus on his craft but hopefully his exposure to the New York and New Orleans nightlife in his last two stops has prepared him for Las Vegas. There is no doubt he has the talent to be a lockdown press corner and shore up the opposite CB spot from Trayvon Mullen.