49ers add former top 10 pick to help with CB depth after injury to starter

The San Francisco 49ers are adding some intriguing depth at cornerback after an injury to one of their starters left them shorthanded.

ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday reported former New York Giants No. 10 overall pick Eli Apple is signing with the 49ers on a one-year contract.

Apple, 29, will get an opportunity at CB with Renardo Green dealing with a hamstring injury.

It's been a tumultuous nine-year career for Apple, who has been on six teams during that stretch. He spent two-and-a-half years with the Giants before joining the New Orleans Saints. He was there for a year-and-a-half, then signed with the Carolina Panthers for a year. He was with the Cincinnati Bengals for two seasons and then with the Miami Dolphins in 2023, and the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.

Apple has played in only 14 games with four starts over the last two years. He has 10 pass breakups, one interception and 48 tackles in that stretch. For his career the former first-rounder has six interceptions and 61 pass breakups in 102 games (82 starts). According to Pro Football Focus he has allowed 32 touchdowns and allows a quarterback rating of 100.4 when targeted.

He'll now join a cornerback group that has a ton of uncertainty. Green isn't expected to miss a ton of time. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he anticipates he'll be back for the second week of the preseason in mid-August, but the 49ers need more CBs to take some practice reps. However, given the murkiness on the depth chart, there's a real chance Apple could play his way into the conversation for a roster spot if he steps into a young CB room and performs in camp and the preseason.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers sign Eli Apple after injury to Renardo Green