The Panthers on Thursday agreed to terms on a one-year deal with cornerback Eli Apple, addressing a position of need.
A former Giants' first-round pick in 2016, Apple was traded to the Saints five weeks into the 2018 season. He started 25 games in New Orleans the past two years, with two interceptions and 13 passes defensed.
During his first four seasons, Apple has played 55 career games, starting 48, with three interceptions and 33 passes defensed.
The Panthers spent two picks in last month's draft on cornerbacks when they took Troy Pride Jr. in the fourth round and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III in the seventh. But they've been open about a need to continue adding at the position, and Apple, who turns 25 in August, gives them a veteran option to start across from Donte Jackson.
With the new collective bargaining agreement, signing Apple now will not factor into the compensatory draft pick formula for next year.
View photos of cornerback Eli Apple's career with the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants.
New Orleans Saints defensive back Eli Apple (25) during pregame warmups before a Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints NFL divisional football playoff game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The Saints beat the Eagles 20-14. (Matt Patterson via AP)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) defends during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in New Orleans. The 49ers defeated the Saints, 48-46. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 in Atlanta. The Saints won 26-18. (Paul Abell via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. The Saints beat the Titans 38-28. (Cooper Neill via AP)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) defends during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, in New Orleans. The Saints defeated the Colts, 34-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. The Saints won 26-18. (Aaron Doster via AP)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) tackles Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) holds the football after an interception that was called back in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints defensive back Eli Apple (25) looks up from the sideline with his helmet off during a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019 in Los Angeles. The Rams won the game 27-9. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
New Orleans Saints defensive back Eli Apple (25) rests during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 in Carson, Calif. The Saints defeated the Chargers 19-17. (Greg Trott via AP)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) in coverage during a week 17 NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 in New Orleans. Carolina won 33-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New Orleans Saints defensive back Eli Apple (25) during pregame warmups before a regular season Week 16 NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. The Saints beat the Steelers 31-28. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers did receiver mike Evans (13 (12) looks for a pass during an NFL football game as New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) covers Dec. 9, 2018 in Tampa, Fla. The Saints won 28 - 14. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New Orleans Saints' Eli Apple (25) intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) breaks up a pass intended for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple (25) and New Orleans Saints strong safety Vonn Bell (24) celebrate an interception during an NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018 in New Orleans. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Eli Apple, left, breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, October 22, 2018, in Atlanta. The Falcons won 23-20. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) in coverage during a week 6 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 in East Rutherford, N.J. Philadelphia won 34-13. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) watches from the sideline during a NFL football game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 26, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, October 7, 2018, in Charlotte, Nc. The Panthers won 33-31. (Paul Abell via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) prepares to run into action during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (NFL Photos via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) defends against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants Eli Apple (24) during the New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL football game in Tampa, Florida, October 1, 2017. ( Tom DiPace via AP)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) covers New York Jets wide receiver Charone Peake (17) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard, right, is tackled New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple during an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
New York Giants' Eli Apple reacts after breaking up a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants' Eli Apple, left, breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks' Doug Baldwin during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) joins teammates in the tunnel before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) deflects a pass to Detroit Lions' Golden Tate (15) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple (24) breaks up a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (89) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Jared Wickerham)
