3 underrated Bengals to monitor vs. Dolphins in preseason finale

Underrated Bengals to Watch – No. 1: Eli Apple

The Bengals signed Apple to a bargain-basement “prove it” one-year deal in March to little fanfare. While most fans aren’t excited about the former 10th overall pick from 2016, perhaps the former Buckeye can resurrect his career in Cincinnati much the way Adam Jones did, and likely with far less drama attached.

Ironically, Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo coached with the team that originally drafted Apple in 2016, the New York Giants. Did Anarumo still have contacts on the staff that drafted Eli Apple? While that remains to be seen, perhaps the prospect of gaining a player with high draft capital, that should still be in his prime was too much to pass up.

It’s not as if Apple isn’t talented, and perhaps Anarumo can turn what many have written off as a “rotten Apple”, pun intended, into a useful depth piece. It may not bear fruit but it certainly is worth monitoring.

If Anarumo can rehab Eli Apple into the player many thought he should be at this juncture in his career, perhaps this defense can take a huge step forward and match the potential of the offense.

These are three players to monitor closely during the last preseason game versus the Dolphins.