Why is nobody talking about Peppers?

[t96]

No, not Julius... Jabrill. I see Adams and Hooker both mentioned here in addition to other obvious names as possibilities at #8, but nobody talks about the possibility of Peppers here. I understand some of the questions are whether he's an OLB or a SS but he's actually slightly smaller than Adams and to me profiles as a SS right in the mold of Eric Berry, who everyone here would love to see a Panther. I remember being all about Landon Collins in '15, I wanted that kid so badly. When he was taken by the Giants I knew they had a steal because that guy could've and should've been a top 10 pick. Peppers looks better than he did to me. I like Adams better but more possible that he's gone, and I like Hooker but he's a FS and Peppers is a SS which we need more with Kurt already here. Peppers is a football player. Put him at SS in a zone and he can cover like an Earl Thomas, put him in the box and he's going to demolish the HB behind the LoS before you can say Jack Robinson. He's a playmaker and will make plays on the ball like Collins did this year.

Peppers isn't my favorite choice at 8, would rather have Adams or Fournette. But there's a possibility both those two are gone as well as the top DEs, and if Peppers is sitting there I think he's definitely worth a top 10 pick. 

Quote

Overall, there may not be a player with more potential in the country to be a game-changer on the defensive side of the ball, but his progression has been halted due to the multiple positions he plays. As a competitor, it is easy to work on areas that you need the most improvement, so when you play both ways, the more natural position usually gets neglected in order to justify being worth putting on the other side of the ball. I'd love to see Peppers focus on safety but the skills are there, and once he commits to it, the sky is the limit. If there is one issue I have with him playing safety, it is that I want to see him add some weight to his frame. He needs the strength to take on and fight off blocks, and also be the kind of heavy-hitter that can be intimidating. Outside of that, I see a player that is going to generate a lot of excitement come draft day. 

http://www.drafttek.com/NFL-Draft-Scouting-Reports/Scouting-Report-Jabrill-Peppers.asp

 

Quote

The decision to move Peppers closer to the line of scrimmage in 2016 was seen by some as an indication of weakness in coverage. In reality, it may have been a testament to Michigan's experience and talent in the secondary and relative lack of speed at linebacker. Showing the combination of instincts, aggression and remarkable athleticism scouts are searching for, Peppers is one of the true stars of the 2017 draft class, projecting best as a safety in the NFL.

 

Peppers possesses a compact, muscular frame and the easy athleticism that translates well to the NFL. Peppers is one of the most instinctive players in the country, showing terrific awareness and the closing speed to take full advantage of his awareness. He accelerates quickly, showing the quick-twitch burst to flash through gaps and close on ballcarriers and easily changes directions, possessing loose hips, greasy knees and flexible ankles to elude would-be blockers or defenders attempting to tackle him, alike. Peppers' agility and acceleration help him remain in the hip pocket of receivers, helping him project well to safety or even cornerback at the next level, should that be the need of his future NFL team. Despite his lack of ideal size for playing near the line of scrimmage, Peppers is a highly competitive and surprisingly physical defender, unselfishly taking on blockers to push ballcarriers toward the cavalry. Though he will occasionally come in too hot and leave himself off-balanced, Peppers is a very reliable open-field tackler, showing impressive closing speed and surprising pop with his hits. He wraps securely and does not back down from bigger ballcarriers, showing toughness and technique, alike, to limit yards after contact. 

 

COMPARES TO: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers (retired) -- Few players can match Polamalu's instincts, improvisation and flair for the dramatic but Peppers is close. He will occasionally frustrate with his over-aggressive style of play but like Polamalu, Peppers will make more big plays than he will ever surrender.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2136536/jabrill-peppers

 

Not trying to make the case that he should be THE pick. But he should be in the conversation along with the other guys we've talked about extensively here at #8.

[Ja Rhule]

Peppers is insane athlete.  He's a top safety in my opinion with never ending ceiling.

[Saca312]

The issue is the questions surrounding him. He has the physical traits, but actual brains?

[t96]

2 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

The issue is the questions surrounding him. He has the physical traits, but actual brains?

He has outstanding football instincts on the field. Once in a generation instincts. Haven't heard anything about him not understanding things in the film room and have no reason to think that that would be an issue.

[d-dave]

I have no idea, my impression from the land of the internetz is that because he's been moved around so much, he kind of doesn't have a position.  He would have to be coached up to whatever his final position is.

I don't know.  I watched a few Michigan games (in pieces), and he looked very fast, very strong, and played around the ball.  If he's a good player, I'll take him!

[Hoenheim]

I don't want a project at pick 8 no matter how good of an overall player he is. He'd probably be a good late 1st rounder or 2nd-3rd rounder but if you're picking in the top 10 I don't think its a good idea.

I mean what position is he going to play? He can't do everything like he did in college, in the NFL I'm guessing. I'd guess the Panthers would try to make him primarily into SS and have him be the primary KR/PR dude.

But if we're drafting at 8 then we're much better off getting Adams , Hooker, or whoever the best CB is one of those 3 is pretty much guaranteed to be at 8 and if they're not that means someone else of super high value dropped to us.

A lot of mocks have him going to a playoff team late in the 1st which makes sense. If he ends up being good I could see him being a Tyreek Hill of defense essentially. If a team is willing theyll let him play saftey, cornerback, linebacker, KR, PR.

[Bronn]

Getting hurt and being a scratch for his bowl game has probably hurt him more than anything.

Most of what you're reading about anyone now is hype, and I expect Peppers will still be both an early pick and a good talent in the NFL.

[SetfreexX]

You don't here about him because he doesn't have a definitive NFL position, when you're the best athlete you can line up anywhere in college. In the NFL it's just not the same, we've seen several ''physical freaks/athletes'' fail in the NFL. 

I don't think he's a day one pick, but 2nd or 3rd round I can't see him getting past. 

[Saca312]

1 hour ago, thomas96 said:

He has outstanding football instincts on the field. Once in a generation instincts. Haven't heard anything about him not understanding things in the film room and have no reason to think that that would be an issue.

What I'm reading on is his pure coverage as a safety. He doesn't appear well on film on coverage, and he has a larger learning curve than others at his position.

What's interesting is how much he looks like Cash; albeit better. He's a mystery. I don't know if pick #8 is the right place for a guy who doesn't know his true position and not sound in coverage.

Is his ceiling high? Extremely. But worth it right now at #8? I don't know.

[Tarheels23]

I don't want another tweener. Just because we hit on TD doesn't mean we should make a habit of drafting those guys.

I like Shaq, but he should've never been made an LB. He could've been a great SS, same as Cash, as smart as he is, why not make him a SS? And don't give me that, he's too slow crap, especially when we had old man Harper in our system.  

[guffeyp]

Cash got moved to lb due to issues in coverage, not speed. He was always in the box in college.

[cardiackat88.]

The better question is "why does anyone bring up Peppers"?

[nickzz]

I don't want another tweener. Just because we hit on TD doesn't mean we should make a habit of drafting those guys.

I like Shaq, but he should've never been made an LB. He could've been a great SS, same as Cash, as smart as he is, why not make him a SS? And don't give me that, he's too slow crab, especially when we had old man Harper in our system.  

Umm Shaq is looking like a stud at LB


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[Adb6368]

At this point I am ok with anyone that is 100% a surefire upgrade over who we have now at the position. We still have Stew at RB and none of the DE's that will be there really get me excited. Safety is the 1 position where I feel like we can 100% get better immediately no matter who we pick.