2017 NFL Draft: Will Jabrill Peppers really drop to the Saints?

Will Jabrill Peppers really drop?

Jabrill Peppers SS/FS/OLB/KR Michigan 6002 205 4.42 #5 rSo

Mr Freak? The Ultimate upside chess piece defensive player in the draft?

Lets start with the drop in the draft charts. The lack of playing time at any one position and not over excelling at an extreme level is the issue at hand for the media scouts. What position to play him at? LB? S? Any of this sounding familiar?

He may not be the most technically sound player in coverage as a pure safety at the next level. Put him outside and in man coverage and the issues are glaringly clear. So Michigan limited him in zone coverage, and for good reason. Often times he was late to respond and showed lack of instincts in that facet of his game. But that brings me right back to the lack of playing time at any one position to develop a refined skill set for that position. So I question how certain people are about his preserved lack of instincts.

“I think he’s overrated,” one scout said. "It’s absolutely pivotal that he goes to a team that effectively utilizes his strengths and versatility so that his skill set doesn’t go to waste. He is very effective up in the box. a decent in a nickel linebacker. plays as a slot corner. returner and halfback "(averaged 6.2 yards per carry this season). .

Remember he is only a red shirt sophomore also.

Enter DA attacking philosophy

Often times Michigan would have him as a spy and he does a good job at adjusting and forcing the QB to make a bad play. In a division with the QB's we face this is this a skill set to temp DA? Peppers is lethal coming off the blitz and showcased elite burst and closing speed when pursuing the QB.

Despite his size, he does a very good job against big TEs in man coverage – plays physical and scrappy in man against big targets. Yet another tempting trait in our division.

Peppers made big strides in improving his tackling this season. – racked up 16 TFL this season with 4 sacks. Typically lined up in the box or at the line of scrimmage, he has the ability to make the big hit and big time one-on-one tackles in space.

Boom or Bust

I think he is over scouted a bit and little credit is given to how far his game has developed despite all the roles he has been asked to play. The upside with him could be off the chart. Is coverage issues due to the lack of coaching and seasoning and time is all he needs?

A Pro Bowl S potential right out the gates? Probably not. But he has everything you look for in a possible all pro player S to work with. If he finds a home at FS man o man we could be talking a generational type of steal here.

If not you end up with just another pretty toy to play with. This is true with all draftees. Isn't it?

Would you role the dice?

I still find it hard to believe he would fall out of the top 10.