The Las Vegas Raiders have been busy this offseason in free agency, making a number of solid additions, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, to improve their roster in hopes of getting back to the playoffs in 2020.
One of the Raiders’ biggest needs coming into the offseason was cornerback, and they seemed to address that with the signing of Eli Apple.
While Apple’s career hasn’t completely panned out after he was drafted 10th overall by the New York Giants in 2016, he at least developed into a capable starter with the New Orleans Saints the last couple of years.
It appears Apple’s time with the Raiders has come to an end before it even started, unfortunately, as Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that he and Las Vegas were unable to finalize the contract:
Raiders and former Saints’ CB Eli Apple were unable to finalize a contract, per sources, and Apple remains a free agent. Another one added to the list.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2020
Apple now has the opportunity to test the open market once again as a free agent after his contract fell through with the Raiders.
As for the Raiders, they will get back $6 million in cap space that they can now spend either on another cornerback or to fill another need on the roster.
Even with the addition of Apple, it seemed that the Raiders were poised to use one of their two first-round picks on a cornerback in the 2020 NFL Draft. That seems to be even more apparent now, although they likely will add another through free agency as well for depth purposes.
Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley is still a free agent, so bringing him back could be a possibility. Another possibility is Dre Kirkpatrick, who played for Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther in Cincinnati.
