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NFL Draft Scouting report: Jabrill Peppers , S, Michigan
Former Michigan S/LB Jabrill Peppers is profiled for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jabrill Peppers – Michigan
Position: LB/S/Punt Returner
Height: 5’11"
Weight: 213
Class: Junior
Hometown: East Orange, NJ
Experience: 2 year starter
Measurables:
40yd dash: 4.46
Broad jump: 10’7”
Vertical: 35 1/2”
Bench Press: 19 reps
Career Notes:
A decorated collegiate athlete at the University of Michigan, his all-around production assisted the Wolverines in all phases. Played most of his snaps on defense where he played predominantly as an inside linebacker, but also saw significant snaps at slot corner, outside corner, and an outside pass-rusher. On offense, was used mostly as a wildcat quarterback on pivotal 3rd downs, but also played quite a bit as a running back. Finished 5th in the 2016 Heisman Ballot, remaining in the race for much of the season. Was awarded the 2016 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Injury Report:
Stayed healthy for much of his college career until the 2016 Orange Bowl against Florida State, when he apparently hurt his left hamstring before kickoff and was unable to play. Concerns over his hamstring were alleviated when he ran a 4.46 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine.
Analysis:
Against the Run – 2.0/5
When evaluating Peppers, it is important to project exactly which position he profiles best at the next level. When he is bearing down on a ball-carrier with a head of steam from a deep zone, he can make many well-timed tackles for loss. However, he does struggle against the run when he is required to fulfill some of the more basic run-fills as a middle linebacker. Because of his lack of strength and small frame, that is something that seems unlikely to change even as he takes on the weight training regimen of an NFL player.
Pass Rush – 2.0/5
As a pure pass-rusher, Peppers’ struggles. In his rare snaps as a pass-rusher in a two-point stance, his lack of physical stature is immediately apparent. But most of his time attacking the quarterback is spent as a blitzer as either an inside linebacker or off the edge from the slot. Because of his elite straight-line speed for either position, he is often able to get pressure on the quarterback when it is sufficiently schemed for him. As a secondary player, this is not much of an issue: rarely can a diminutive secondary player outman an offensive lineman or H-back. But he will have to take on many of these players as an interior rusher when lined up as a middle linebacker. His struggles in this area mean he will likely have to be schemed free on stunts and cross dog blitzes to make an impact as an interior rusher.
Coverage – 3.0/5.0
Like many of his traits, how one feels about Peppers’ coverage ability is directly correlated to where he projects to play in a particular teams’ defense. He is a strong coverage linebacker, often forced to take on tight ends on shallow crossing routes or running backs out of the backfield. Because of his superior speed, he completes these assignments with relative ease. However, when tasked with man coverage or trail-zone technique, he is often more reactive than proactive showing a concerning lack of instincts. His elite athleticism allowed him to easily cover most collegiate receivers without learning the nuances of how to cover receivers who have comparable speed.
Agility – 3.5 /5
His 4.46 40-yard dash time could end up being his carrying tool: the aspect of his game that will get him a look in the NFL no matter which position a team believes he profiles best as. While his electric 40-yard dash time likely turned heads at the combine, the most important drill for his evaluation was likely the 3-cone drill. Peppers’ not competing in the 3-cone drill can be explained in two ways: either he was not prepared based on not wanting to re-aggravate his hamstring injury from the bowl game or he did not want a poor time to hurt his draft stock. Because of his struggles tackling in the open field, I tend to fall in the latter camp.
Impact Play Ability – 2.5/5
Peppers’ had several game-changing special teams returns in college, flipping field position with sizable hidden yardage gains. However, no matter how impressive his return ability is, it is likely cancelled out by the absence of big play ability on defense. His lack of strength and general unwillingness to make tackles that are not obviously his to make combined with his sub-par ball skills make him unlikely to be a major positive in that department at the next level. In a league increasingly obsessed with creating turnovers on defense, this is a potentially major issue.
Overall – 3.0/5
Peppers is a bit of a tough nut to crack. His elite speed makes him an impact player whenever he has the ball in his hands. The Charles Woodson comparisons especially manifest themselves when Peppers is returning a punt or kickoff, where he displays good vision, top-end speed, and patience to give his team a sizable advantage in that area. But what made Woodson so incredible was his innate ability to turn defense into offense by forcing fumbles or baiting quarterbacks into poor decisions that he would promptly intercept and try to return for touchdowns. Peppers created exactly one of these plays in college, a deflected interception in his final game against Ohio State.
If Drafted by the Packers:
Peppers’ best fit in the Packers defense might be utilized as a swiss-army knife just as he was at Michigan. Dom Capers’ defense shows opposing offenses so many different looks that Peppers could suitably perform at around half of the positions on the field. While his smaller stature paired with his lack of aggressiveness in the run game makes him an unlikely every-down contributor in the middle, he could certainly find snaps in the middle in some nickel packages, particularly those currently being taken by Morgan Burnett. Peppers flashes the ability to be an elite performer as a variety of skills, but will specializing at a few tasks in the NFL prove to unlock another level for Peppers’ or will it reveal a player that could not overcome his lack of an obvious fit in the NFL. A creative and development oriented team might be inclined to draft him and stick him at one position. But I think he might be best suited as a moveable chess piece to matchup with the many tight ends and multiple eligible receives in a modern NFL offense similar to how Micah Hyde was utilized in Green Bay. Depending on the matchup, he might see some time as a deep safety, slot corner, and mike linebacker all on the same play. This places him in discussion to be selected on the second day, especially with the loss of the aforementioned Hyde in free agency. He could even see some snaps as a corner in matchup defenses like 2-man where his impressive deep speed would be a welcomed addition to a secondary short on fast-twitched athletes.
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Comments (12)
stockholder
March 22, 2017 at 05:43 pm
The perfect guy to replace joe Thomas. And Burnett. But everyone wants Watt. Will he be there, and will TT take him? The secondary gets speed with peppers, and the middle becomes more secure. Bet he goes before the 2nd round.
MITM
March 22, 2017 at 06:16 pm
Peppers would be more of a replacement for Micah Hyde I would say.
TKWorldWide
March 22, 2017 at 08:20 pm
And a faster one! I like it.
EdsLaces
March 22, 2017 at 06:06 pm
Thomas just signed. No..thank..you.
stockholder
March 23, 2017 at 12:50 pm
Thomas. Can't tackle or rush. TT is giving him a chance to take the next step up. I believe it's still to high for him. He over achieved now.
MarkinMadison
March 22, 2017 at 11:03 pm
Thanks for the Hawkeye clips! I really enjoyed watching the Hawkeyes beat Michigan.
He looks like a running back who got shoved onto defense to me. No way he is a linebacker. I've just been mystified by the hype around this guy. He has speed. He has skills. I just don't see the production. I honestly would not want to see the Packers take him in the first two rounds.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 23, 2017 at 01:26 am
Nice athlete. He's isn't a football player. Should offer better coverage than Hyde, worse tackling. 3rd or 4th round. It only takes one team, but this is a guy who could slide a long way, like the A'Shawn Robinson slide.
CAG123
March 23, 2017 at 02:31 am
They want him to Woodson so bad it's pathetic if he didn't go to Michigan we wouldn't even be having this discussion. The difference between him and Woodson is Woodson was great in coverage and good every where else they put him a true playmaker with the ball in his hands or around him Peppers just does certain things well but definitely not well enough to warrant comparison to a future HOF and top 10 pick
MITM
March 23, 2017 at 02:43 pm
Couldnt have said it better myself, Michigan did some job promoting this kid. As ive said before, Shaq Thompson was a better college player, even Myles Jack.
jww061356
March 23, 2017 at 04:18 am
No way is Peppers worth even a 2nd round pick IMO. The last thing we need on defense is a guy that isn't a playmaker and doesn't like to tackle. He has been getting by on his athleticism @ Michigan, and I predict that won't be enough week to week in the NFL. Yes, we need speed, but we need it matched with toughness and someone who can make a play on the ball. Charles Woodson was a once in a generation talent; this guy couldn't carry his shoulder pads.
Bearmeat
March 23, 2017 at 01:02 pm
We need elite EDGE production. Not the middle of the defense. ILB isn't great on this team, but it's better than OLB, 5 Tech outside of Daniels (who really is not a 5 Tech) and outside CB.
Peppers would be taking average play on our defense (up the middle) and making it better. And we'd still have real problems with CB and Edge.
No thanks.
stockholder
March 23, 2017 at 01:17 pm
No Bearmeat! Thats fine if you don't like peppers. But the middle of the defense has sucked to long. You have Perry and mathews outside. TT did not sign Jones or peppers. And they still got contracts. To protect the OLb/ Edge. TT should really draft Watt and Willis. 1 and 2. But that is not going to fix the secondary. Or the middle giving up so much. A faster Safety/ILB is required. Or better yet just get rid of Capers. The secondary needs to improve. And Thats what won it in 2010.