That began last weekend during rookie minicamp, as Apke learned the defense and new vocabulary, cramming it into a couple of hours of practice each day. Fellow safeties Montae Nichsolson and D.J. Swearinger reached out to Apke upon being drafted and have begun working together this week as the veterans mingle with the rookies before OTAs.

"First day was great, just trying to learn the defense, get acclimated to everything,: he said following Friday's practice.

The knock on Apke – that he struggles with his coverage skills – is not lost on him, and he'll agree that his technique is something he's looking forward to improving more at the next level. "I think Coach Gray will teach me technique, things like that, things that I need to learn and I think that my speed will translate," Apke said.

The route most project for him will be to excel on special teams, an area that can utilize his speed to its best potential as he sharpens his game. He got a little taste of that over the weekend, working with special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica.