Dolphins CB Eli Apple has starter credentials – and an interesting dynamic with Tyreek Hill

On the surface, it makes for a riveting pairing.

The Dolphins quickly moved to compensate for the loss of All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, signing Eli Apple, an experienced defensive back — and notable antagonist to star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Back when Apple was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals and Hill was with the Kansas City Chiefs, Apple taunted Hill on social media after Cincinnati’s win over Kansas City in the 2022 AFC Championship Game.

The social media dig was still fresh in Hill’s mind before the Dolphins’ Week 4 game against the Bengals last year, telling reporters that he “can’t wait to go against Eli Apple. I owe you.”

But any on-field or online spat has quickly been squashed by the new teammates. Apple, 27, had his first practice as a Dolphin on Sunday. And after the session, he assured reporters that there is no tension with Hill after an at-times contentious past.

“We were chopping it up a little bit at the training and breakfast table,” Apple said. “We all good. It’s all love. We’re on the same team, so all love.”

Head coach Mike McDaniel told NFL Network on Sunday that he called Hill to inform him the team would be signing Apple and the team’s top wideout was supportive of the move. On Saturday, Hill posted on Twitter that “practice [is going to be] fun” and teammates joked about their entertaining dynamic.

“Y’all play nice out there,” Ramsey wrote on Twitter with laughing emojis.

But on Sunday, Hill and Apple didn’t appear to match up in any drills. Apple was limited in practice but had tight coverage on a screen pass to wide receiver Braxton Berrios during 11-on-11 work. And after the session, Apple’s focus was on getting acclimated to a defense that could soon need him.

“[I’m] just hitting the ground running, especially out there,” he said. “They just threw me into the fire, literally, still kind of sweating a little bit from the practice. But I felt good. My body feels good. I just want to get better and better every day.”

After it was announced that Ramsey would undergo surgery on a left meniscus injury that could sideline him until December, McDaniel said that the team would work out free agent cornerbacks for “depth purposes.” But in Apple, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Miami signed a player with 78 career starts, including 30 in the last two seasons with Cincinnati.

Kader Kohou is a projected slot corner in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme and top draft pick Cam Smith has had flashes. But Apple has the most experience of any healthy Dolphins corner not named Xavien Howard.

“He’s a great dude. He’s been around a lot of ball,” said quarterback Mike White, who made his first career start against the Bengals when Apple was on the team. “He’s been around a lot of ball. And one thing, too, is he’s been on a lot of successful teams that have made runs. At the end of the day, that’s our ultimate goal: making a run at the playoffs.

He added: “Anytime you can add a guy like that to the locker room, it’s only going to benefit the team and the defensive side of the ball.”

Asked if he was brought in to compete for a starting spot, Apple said: “I just want to come in here and do anything I can to make the team better and compete.”

Apple had been training in the South Florida area and staying in a rental home since March — “I just like Miami, like the weather” — when his agent informed him the Dolphins wanted to bring him in for a workout. He soon agreed to a one-year deal with the team, his agent confirmed to the Miami Herald.

The offseason for Apple was “different,” he said, the longest amount of time he’s spent in the NFL without being on a team. Teams previously showed interest but, “I just wanted to be patient in my approach and just wait for the best offer and opportunity,” he said.

A week into training camp, that opportunity has possibly come in Miami. Nik Needham remains on the physically unable to perform list. Keion Crossen missed his third consecutive practice with an undisclosed injury. And Trill Williams participated in his second consecutive practice but was in a red non-contact jersey, remaining sidelined from team drills.

Apple’s impact could ultimately be decided by how quickly he can learn the Dolphins’ scheme. He called Fangio’s defense “very new to me” but also said it is “very corner-friendly and aggressive.”

The work to get Apple up to speed has already started. Cornerbacks coach/pass game specialist Sam Madison was at Apple’s home on Saturday after the deal had been agreed to, going over schemes and terminology.

And if Apple needs any more help getting acclimated, Hill’s locker is right across from his. Apple’s ex-rival/new teammate has already been helping him get adjusted to the team.

“He’s definitely one of the more athletic athletes in the whole world,” Apple said. “So every day to go against him is going to make everyone better.”