Analyst: Tackling Le'Veon Bell to be 'big challenge' for Jabrill Peppers
The Cleveland Browns picked Michigan's Jabrill Peppers with the 25th pick in the Thursday's NFL draft. Here's what NFL draft pundits from ESPN and NFL Network are saying about the pick:
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN draft analyst: "I don't know about breakout player right away. He's adjusting to the NFL, where he'll have to find a position. He played multiple roles in the Michigan defense. … This kid will tackle you. He's a corner, he led at linebacker with 14 tackles for a loss this season. He's a punt returner. The kid makes plays. Now he only has one career interception. People worry about that. … Bottom line is he was all over the field making plays. The one interception is a concern when you're talking about safety, but he didn't play safety his entire career. … I think his versatility was great in college, it worked against him as a pro prospect."
Jon Gruden, ESPN draft analyst: "I really like Jabrill Peppers. He's one of those grinders. He can play anywhere. He can play running back. He can play wildcat quarterback. He can be your kick returner or your punt returner. He can do it all. I've seen him play corner. I've seen him play dime. I've seen him play nickel. This man can play football and I wouldn't be surprised if Hue Jackson did use him both ways. This man can play football. He can play any position. And I like his playing style. I think it was a great pick. … You want a guy like Peppers, who's one of those Swiss Army knives that can help you on offense, defense and special teams because Cleveland obviously has a lot of needs."
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: "We talked so much about lack of production. The one interception. This is one of the best tacklers in the draft and when you look at this division … He's going to have to tackle that Michigan State running back in Pittsburgh (Le'Veon Bell) and get him on the ground, so that's going to be the big challenge for him."
Mike Mayock, NFL Network draft analyst: (He's) one of my favorite players in this draft. At 5-foot-11, 213 (pounds), a highly recruited kid out of North Jersey. He brings explosive energy in the locker room and on the field, incredibly versatile. The question is: ball skills and ball production. I gotta say forget about all that and have a plan for this kid. He played in the box at Michigan. He played linebacker. But I think he could start at strong safety. I think he could start at nickel. I think he's going to be a difference maker in the return game. He's one of the best kick and punt returners in the country. He can also cover kicks and punts, so we talk about Christian McCaffrey and what he can do, versatility-wise, this kid can even play offense. People say it's a negative that they're not sure how to play him. I look at his versatility as a positive and say have a plan, get the ball in his hands occasionally and trust this kid.
Steve Smith, NFL Network: He becomes an immediate splash player, and you can put him at multiple positions. He can play punt returner, and you can also fill him in to play running back or possibly play wide receiver at times. But he does energize your defense. He does a great job. Whatever position you play him in, he's going to make plays. He's an instant playmaker. ... 'He's an immediate smash player.'
Charles Davis, NFL Network: Don't forget that his defensive coordinator is Gregg Williams. Gregg likes to be extremely creative. Remember he took Mark Baron and make him a weakside linebacker. I don't think he does that with Peppers, but I do think he makes him a down-and-distance player. First and 10, he'll have him do one thing; second and 7, he'll do something else; third and 3, he'll do something else. You can put him in spots to make plays, and he'll fight like crazy with Hugh Jackson to not let him play on offense as well.
Steve Mariucci, NFL Network: We're finding here in this draft that versatility is key because of guys like Christian McCraffrey, Adoree Jackson and now Jabrill Peppers. Guys that can do a lot of things for your football team. They have an added-value when you can play them at a lot of spots and becomes very important in this day and age. Peppers is a heck of a kid, and we all know that. He's a Michigan guy.